What Happened in 1847

  • Elizabeth Blackwell is accepted to Geneva College

    She attended Geneva College in New York. She was accepted there — anecdotally, because the faculty put it to a student vote, and the students... Read more

  • 'Wuthering Heights' is Published

    It is not simply in contrast to its origins that Wuthering Heights strikes us as so unique, so unanticipated. This great novel, though not... Read more

  • Battle Of Rio San Gabriel Begins

    The Battle of Rio San Gabriel was a decisive action of the California campaign of the Mexican-American War and occurred at the sites of present-day... Read more

  • Battle Of La Mesa Begins

    Kearny's command was bloodied and in poor condition but pushed on until they had to establish a defensive position on "Mule" Hill near present-day... Read more

  • Treaty Of Cahuenga Is Signed

    Kearny's command was bloodied and in poor condition but pushed on until they had to establish a defensive position on "Mule" Hill near present-day... Read more

  • Battle Of Canada

    The Battle of Cañada was part of the Taos Revolt, a popular insurrection against the United States by Mexicans. It took place on January 24, 1847,... Read more

  • First Battle Of Mora

    After a failed attack by American Forces led by Israel Hendley on January 24, on February 1 another expedition armed with cannon succeeded in... Read more

  • Battle Of Embudo Pass

    The Battle of Embudo Pass was part of the Taos Revolt, a popular insurrection against the United States. It took place on January 29, 1847, during... Read more

  • Virginia Clemm Poe Dies

    On January 29, 1847, Poe wrote to Marie Louise Shew: "My poor Virginia still lives, although failing fast and now suffering much pain."Virginia... Read more

  • Second Battle Of Mora

    On February 1, approximately 200 U.S. troops led by Captain Jesse I. Morin returned to Mora armed with two howitzers. Most of the insurgents fled... Read more

  • Siege Of Pueblo De Taos

    The Siege of Pueblo de Taos was the final battle of the Taos Revolt, a popular insurrection against the United States during the Mexican-American... Read more

  • Thomas Edison is Born

    Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847 in the canal town of Milan, Ohio, the last of seven children. His mother, Nancy, had been a school... Read more

  • Santa Anna Marches North To Fight Taylor

    Eventually, these actions drove and trapped Ampudia's men into the city's central plaza, where howitzer shelling forced Ampudia to negotiate.... Read more

  • Battle of Buena Vista

    United States General Zachary Taylor was victorious over Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in the Battle of Buena Vista on February 23,... Read more

  • Battle Of The Sacramento

    The Battle of the Sacramento took place on February 28, 1847 during the Mexican-American War. About 25 miles north of Chihuahua at the river... Read more

  • Alexander Graham Bell is Born

    Alexander Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on March 3, 1847. The family home was at 16 South Charlotte Street, and now has a commemorative... Read more

  • Siege of Veracruz

    The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War. Lasting from March 9 to March... Read more

  • Battle Of Tuxpan

    The Battle of Tuxpan was a battle fought during the Mexican-American War. After the fall of Veracruz, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, commander of... Read more

  • Battle of Cerro Gordo - Lee Earns Rank of Brevet Major

    The Battle of Cerro Gordo or Sierra Gordo[1] in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's US troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican... Read more

  • Battle Of Cerro Gordo

    The Battle of Cerro Gordo or Sierra Gordo in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's US troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican... Read more

  • Second Battle Of Tabasco

    The Second Battle of Tabasco, also known as the Battle of Villahermosa, was a battle fought in June 1847 during the Mexican-American War as part of... Read more

  • The U. S. Post Office First Issues The Postage Stamp

    On July 1, 1847, the United States Post Office issued its first general issue postage stamp, a five-cent stamp honoring Benjamin Franklin, the... Read more

  • Bringham Young Arrives at Salt Lake City, Utah

    Salt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847, by a group of Mormon pioneers. (Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day... Read more

  • Battle of Contreras

    The Battle of Contreras, also known as the Battle of Padierna, took place during the August 19–20, 1847, in the final encounters of the... Read more

  • Battle Of Churubusco

    The Battles of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras (Padierna) during the... Read more