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August1846

Historical Events in August 1846

Aug 5 Oregon territory divided between the United States and Britain at the 49th parallel
Aug 10 US Act of Congress passes establishing the Smithsonian Institution, now world's largest museum and research complex

Thoreau Jailed for Tax Protest

Aug 14 American naturalist Henry David Thoreau jailed for refusing to pay taxes

Naturalist and Pacifist Henry David Thoreau

Aug 14 The Cape Girardeau meteorite, a 2.3 kg chondrite-type meteorite strikes near the town of Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.
Aug 17 Commodore Robert F. Stockton of the US Navy, annexes California
Aug 18 General Stephen W Kearney's US forces capture Santa Fe, New Mexico

Mendelssohn's Elijah

Aug 26 Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah" premieres at the Birmingham Festival in England

Composer and Pianist Felix Mendelssohn

Aug 26 W. A. Bartlett appointed 1st US mayor of Yerba Buena (San Francisco)

Famous People Who Were