Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

Historical Events in March 1861

  • Mar 2 Government Printing Office purchases 1st printing plant, Washington
  • Mar 2 US creates Dakota & Nevada Territories out of the Nebraska & Utah territories

Emancipation of the Serfs

Mar 3 Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs and granting them the full rights of free citizens [O.S. Feb 19]

Abraham Lincoln

Mar 4 Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th US President

  • Mar 4 Confederate States adopt "Stars & Bars" flag (US Civil War)
  • Mar 4 US President Abraham Lincoln opens Government Printing Office
  • Mar 6 Provisionary Confederate Congress establishes Confederate Army
  • Mar 8 St Augustine Florida surrenders to Union armies
  • Mar 9 Us Confederate currency authorized - $50, $100, $500, $1,000
  • Mar 10 West African political leader El Hadj Umar Tall seizes the city of Segou, destroying the Bambara Empire of Mali
  • Mar 11 Confederate convention in Montgomery adopts constitution (US Civil War)
  • Mar 13 23rd Grand National: Joseph Kendall wins aboard Jealousy at 5/1
  • Mar 16 Arizona Territory votes to leave the Union (US Civil War)
  • Mar 16 Confederate government appoints commissioners to Britain

Sam Houston Evicted

Mar 16 Edward Clark becomes Governor of Texas, replacing Sam Houston, who is evicted from the office for refusing to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy (US Civil War)

Unification of Italy

Mar 17 Italy is unified into a single kingdom under Victor Emmanuel II following the campaigns led by Giuseppe Garibaldi

  • Mar 19 The First Taranaki War ends in New Zealand
  • Mar 20 An earthquake completely destroys Mendoza, Argentina
  • Mar 22 1st US nursing school chartered
  • Mar 23 London's 1st tramcars, designed by Mr Train of NY, begins operating
  • Mar 31 Confederacy takes over mint at New Orleans (US Civil War)