Rule of Michigan
Michigan becomes the 26th US State
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1837 in United States of America
Explore 41 historical events and records for United States of America in 1837.
Historical records for United States of America in 1837
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 41 unique records.
41Unique records
1 of 2Page
39Named events on this page
16Named people on this page
12Places on this page
January
Unification
Michigan becomes the 26th US State
February
Electric Motor Patent
Receives United States patent number 132 for an electromagnetic motor.
First United States Electric Motor Patent
Secures the first United States patent issued for an electric motor.
March
Independence of Texas
Recognizes the "lone star" Republic of Texas
Independence of United States of America
Recognizes the "lone star" Republic of Texas
Inauguration
Inaugurated President of the USA, 8th
May
Panic of 1837
Bank suspensions and collapsing credit begin a severe national economic depression.
August
Economy of USA
Passes the Independent Treasury Act to help deal with a financial crisis
Legislation
Passes the Independent Treasury Act to help deal with a financial crisis
Reform of Government
Passes the Independent Treasury Act to help deal with a financial crisis
Rule of Texas
The Government notifies Texas that it will not be admitted to the union
Unification
The Government notifies Texas that it will not be admitted to the union
American Intellectual Independence
Calls for intellectual independence from inherited European traditions.
The American Scholar Address
Delivers The American Scholar address to the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
September
Panic of 1837 Response
Proposes separating federal funds from unstable private banks.
Special Session of Congress
Convenes a special congressional session to address the financial crisis.
October
Capture of Osceola
Orders Osceola seized while the Seminole leader approaches under a truce flag.
Flag of Truce Seizure
Faces criticism for imprisoning negotiators during the Second Seminole War.
December
Battle of Lake Okeechobee
Commands United States troops in a major battle against Seminole resistance.
Seminole War Engagement
Claims victory despite heavy losses during difficult fighting near Lake Okeechobee.
Other events (month unknown)
Adventures of Captain Bonneville
Publishes an account based on Benjamin Bonnevilles western expeditions.
Arthur Gordon Pym Serialization
Begins serial publication of the narrative later issued as Arthur Gordon Pym.
Electrical Telegraph Patent Caveat Filed
Morse registered a patent caveat as work continued on a practical electromagnetic communications apparatus. Its significance included improved measurement or operational reliability.
Experimental Telegraph Receiver
Builds an experimental receiver capable of recording electrical signal changes.
Financial Panic Disrupts Federal Deposits
The Panic of 1837 raised doubts about keeping public money in commercial banks and strengthened arguments for a separate Treasury.
First Short-Story Collection
Collects stories exploring guilt, secrecy and New England history.
Gold Coin Fineness Adjustment
Congress adjusts the fineness of United States gold coins while preserving their statutory value, consolidating the monetary arrangements created by the 1834 reform.
Missionaries Arrive In England
Heber C Kimball helped lead the first organised Latter Day Saint missionary mission to Britain.
Morse Builds Telegraph Recording Receiver
Samuel Morse developed experimental recording equipment for conveying messages through electrical signals. The advance provided methods later adopted by other engineers.
President Proposes Independent Treasury System
Van Buren advocated storing and disbursing federal funds through government officers rather than through private banks.
Secretary of State for War
Appointed Secretary of State for War
Southern Literary Messenger Narrative
Develops an Antarctic adventure mixing realism, terror and maritime mystery.
Telegraph Patent Caveat
Files a patent caveat while refining his electromagnetic telegraph.
Treasury Proposal Faces Congressional Resistance
The first congressional efforts to create an independent Treasury met opposition from Whigs and other critics of the administration.
Twice-Told Tales
Publishes the first edition of Twice-Told Tales.
Van Buren Convenes Special Congress
President Van Buren called an extraordinary congressional session to address the financial crisis and federal revenue management.
Van Buren Resists Immediate Annexation
Martin Van Buren's administration hesitated to pursue annexation because of disputes over slavery and the risk of war with Mexico.
Vice President
Appointed Vice President of the USA
Western Travel Narrative
Popularizes descriptions of the Rocky Mountains, fur traders and frontier travel.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.