Key Events in American History: 1848

President: James K. Polk

VP: George M. Dallas

Date, Event

  • Jan 24th James Marshall finds gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, CA
  • Jan 31st The Washington Monument is established
  • Feb 2nd Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed ending the Mexican American War
  • May 29th Wisconsin is admitted as the 30th U.S. state
  • Aug 14th Polk signs the Oregon Bill establishing the Oregon Territory
  • Aug 19th The NY Herald breaks the news that there is a gold rush in California
  • Nov 7th Whig candidate, Zachary Taylor defeats Lewis Cass (Democrat) for President

    • Other

  • Cholera epidemic kills 5,000 in New York
  • Population in San Francisco is 900

    • Births

  • Jan 15th James Younger (Outlaw)
  • Feb 18th Louis Comfort Tiffany (Retailer)
  • Mar 1st Augustus St. Gaudens (Sculptor)
  • Mar 3rd Frank McLaury (Outlaw)
  • Mar 19th Wyatt Earp (Lawman/Gambler)

    • Deaths

  • Feb 23rd John Q. Adams (6th President)
  • Mar 29th John Jacob Astor (Multi-Millionaire/Fur Trader)