Key Events in American History: 1854

President: Franklin Pierce

VP: vacant

Date, Event

Jan 4th Stephen Douglas introduces a bill to form the Nebraska Territory

Feb 14th Texas is linked by telegraph with the rest of the U.S.

Feb 22nd Rock Island Railroad connects the Mississippi with the Atlantic Ocean

Mar 15th The San Francisco Mint opens

Mar 20th Republican Party is formed by anti-slavery opponents

May 30th The Kansas-Nebraska Act is signed into law creating the territories of KS and NE. The Act also repeals the Missouri Compromise

May Elisha Otis debuts his safety elevator at the NY World's Fair

Aug 19th Grattan Massacre: US soldiers in NE are killed by Lakota Sioux Indians starting the first Sioux War

Oct 1st The Waltham Watch Company is formed

Dec 26th The Treaty of Medicine Creek is signed in Washington Territory

California Gold Rush continues (1848-1855)

Smith & Wesson invent their revolver

Henry D. Thoreau publishes "Walden"

P.T. Barnum writes "Life of P.T. Barnum"

Jul 4th Matthew "Bill" Tilghman (Lawman)

Jul 12th George Eastman (Inventor/Businessman)

Oct 16th Oscar Wilde (Playwright/Author, "The Portrait of Dorian Gray")

Oct 26th C.W. Post (Cereal Manufacturer)

Nov 6th John Philip Sousa (Composer)

Nov 26th Bat Masterson (Lawman)

Aug 19th Conquering Bear (Lakota Chief)