What Happened in 1860

Major Events

  • Apr 3 Start of the Pony Express, delivers mail by horse and rider relay teams between St Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California
  • Apr 13 1st Pony Express rider reaches Sacramento, California
  • Jun 30 Famous debate on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution held at the Oxford University Museum and dominated by arguments between Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce
  • Nov 6 Republican Abraham Lincoln of Illinois elected the 16th President of the United States of America
  • Dec 20 South Carolina General Assembly votes 169-0 to secede from the United States, declaring itself an "independent commonwealth". Is quickly followed by other Southern states triggering the American Civil War.
  • Dec 28 Harriet Tubman arrives in Auburn, New York, on her last mission to free slaves, having evaded capture for 8 years on the Underground Railroad
  • More 1860 Events

1860 in Sport

  • Oct 17 1st British Open Men's Golf, Prestwick GC: Willie Park Sr. wins inaugural event by 2 strokes from fellow Scot Tom Morris Sr
  • Dec 26 First ever inter-club football match between Hallam F.C. and Sheffield F.C. at Sandygate Road ground in Sheffield, England

Did You Know?

The first British seagoing iron-clad warship, HMS Warrior is launched

December 29, 1860


More People Born in 1860

Fun Fact About 1860

11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln telling him to grow a beard

October 15, 1860


More 1860 Deaths

Famous Weddings in 1860