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
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
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
Nabucco, an opera by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi that established his reputation, premiered at La Scala in Milan.
May
- May 8
Versailles rail accident
A train derailed and caught fire near Versailles, France, killing at least 52 people.
August
- August 1
Lombard Street riot
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
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
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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