What happened in 1842

7 entries recorded for 1842, listed by date. That was 184 years ago.

1842 at a glance

Years ago
184 (as of 2026)
Century
19th century
Decade
1840s
Generation born
Before the named generations
Entries here
7
Breakdown
7 historical events

January

  • January 13

    First Anglo-Afghan War

    Historical event

    First Anglo-Afghan War: William Brydon, an assistant surgeon in the British Army, was the sole European of the 14,000 people retreating from Kabul to Jalalabad who evaded capture or death.

March

  • March 9

    Rancho San Francisco

    Historical event

    Awaking from a nap under a tree at Rancho San Francisco, Francisco López made the first popularly documented discovery of gold in California.

  • March 9

    Nabucco

    Historical event

    Nabucco, an opera by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi that established his reputation, premiered at La Scala in Milan.

May

August

  • August 1

    Lombard Street riot

    Historical event

    Three days of rioting erupted after a parade in Philadelphia, celebrating the end of slavery in the West Indies, was attacked by a mob.

  • August 29

    Treaty of Nanking

    Historical event

    Under the Treaty of Nanking, an "unequal treaty" that ended the First Opium War, the Chinese island from which Hong Kong would grow was ceded to Britain.

November

  • November 26

    University of Notre Dame

    Historical event

    The University of Notre Dame (building pictured) was founded by Edward Sorin of the Congregation of Holy Cross as an all-male institution in the U.S. state of Indiana.

Questions about 1842

What happened in 1842?

This site records 7 entries for 1842, including First Anglo-Afghan War on January 13. They are listed below by date.

How long ago was 1842?

184 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1842 turns 184 this year.

Which century is 1842 in?

1842 falls in the 19th century, in the 1840s.

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