What Happened in December 1840

Historical Events

  • Dec 2 Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La Favorita" premieres in Paris

William Henry Harrison

Dec 2 William Henry Harrison elected the 9th President of the United States of America

Bonaparte's Belated State Funeral

Dec 15 Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death


Famous Birthdays

Crazy Horse (1840-1877)

Dec 4 Oglala Sioux chief (Battle of the Little Bighorn), born in Fort Robinson, Nebraska

  • Dec 7 Hermann Goetz, German composer, born in Königsberg, East Prussia (d. 1876)
  • Dec 11 Namık Kemal, Turkish poet and author (Fatherland-1872), born in Tekirdağ, Ottoman Empire (d. 1888)
  • Dec 17 C. F. E. Horneman, Danish composer, born in Copenhagen (d. 1906)
  • Dec 21 Namık Kemal, Turkish journalist and political activist (Young Ottomans), born in Tekirdağ, Ottoman Empire (d. 1888)

Famous Deaths

  • Dec 11 Emperor Kōkaku of Japan (1780-1817), dies at 69