What Happened in 1840

The Nauvoo Legion Is Formed

The Nauvoo Legion. Joseph was determined that the Saints should never again be at the mercy of their enemies as they had been in Missouri, which is... Read more

Warren de la Rue Creates First Light Bulb

Warren De la Rue (18 January 1815 – 19 April 1889) was a British astronomer and chemist, most famous for his pioneering work in astronomical... Read more

Charles Dickens publishes The Old Curiosity Shop

The Old Curiosity Shop is a novel by Charles Dickens. The plot follows the life of Nell Trent and her grandfather, both residents of The Old... Read more

Great Natchez Tornado

The Great Natchez Tornado hit Natchez, Mississippi on May 7, 1840. It is the second deadliest single tornado in United States history, killing 317... Read more

The United States Exploring Expedition Lands On And Surveys Wake

On December 20, 1840, the United States Exploring Expedition commanded by Commodore Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Navy, landed on and surveyed Wake.... Read more