Key Events in American History: 1853

President: Millard Fillmore (until March 4th); then Franklin Pierce

VP: vacant until March 4th, then William R. King

Date, Event

Feb 21st Congress passes the Coinage Act authorizing $3 gold pieces and the reduction of silver content

Mar 2nd Washington Territory is created from Oregon Territory

Mar 4th Franklin Pierce succeeds Millard Fillmore as President

Mar 5th Steinway & Sons is founded

Apr 18th VP William R. King dies after just 1 month in office

May Yellow fever kills 7,790 in New Orleans

July 14th The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations begins in NY City

Aug 24th Potato chips are invented

Dec 30th Mexico agrees to sell to the U.S. a small strip of land in the southern parts of AZ & NM for $15 million

California Gold Rush continues (1848-1855)

Levi Strauss begins making pants in San Francisco

Jan 16th Andre Michelin (Founder Michelin Tire Co.)

Mar 30th Vincent Van Gogh (Artist)

May 26th John Wesley Hardin (Outlaw)

Jun 30th Tom McLaury (Outlaw)

Nov 26th William "Bat" Masterson (Lawman)

Mar 17th Christian Doppler (Mathematician/Physicist)