What Happened in 1853

Josephine Clofullia (The Bearded Lady) Begins Performing at Barnum's American Museum

Madame Clofullia was born Josephine Boisdechene in Switzerland. She was born hairy and reputedly had a two-inch beard at the age of eight. At the... Read more

Franklin Pierce is inaugurated as the 14th president of the United States

On religious grounds, former Senator and Congressman Franklin Pierce chose "to affirm" rather than "to swear" the executive oath of office. He was... Read more

Franklin Pierce Appoints Jefferson Davis as Secretary of War

Pierce won the election and, in 1853, made Davis his Secretary of War. In this capacity, Davis gave to Congress four annual reports (in December of... Read more

A Treaty To Provide Joint Mexican And American Protection For The Sloo Grant Is Signed

On March 21, 1853, a treaty, initiated in the Fillmore administration, that would provide joint Mexican and American protection for the Sloo grant... Read more

Norwalk Rail Accident

At 08:00 that morning the Boston express left New York with 200 passengers under the charge of a substitute driver for whom this was the third trip... Read more

Franklin Pierce Signs The Gadsden Purchase

The Gadsden Purchase (known as Venta de La Mesilla, or "Sale of La Mesilla", in Mexico) is a 29,670-square-mile (76,800 km2) region of what is... Read more

Stonewall Jackson Marries Elinor Junkin

Jackson married twice. On August 4, 1853, Jackson married Elinor Junkin (1825–54), daughter of George Junkin and Julia Miller Junkin. Elinor died... Read more

USS Pampero Is Launched

USS Pampero (1853) was a large (1,375-ton) and capacious ship-rigged vessel purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used... Read more

Elisah Graves Otis Sells His First Elevator

On September 20, 1853, Elisah Graves Otis sold his first "hoist machines," or elevators, featuring an automatic safety brake that he had recently... Read more

Charles Darwin Received the Royal Medal of The Royal Society

Charles Darwin received the Royal Medal of the Royal Society, the highest honor the society could bestow on a scientist. The medal was awarded for... Read more

James Gadsden Signs The Gadsden Purchase

James Gadsden, U.S. Minister to Mexico, and General Antonio López de Santa Anna, President of Mexico, signed the Gadsden Purchase in Mexico City on... Read more