What happened in 1849
7 entries recorded for 1849, listed by date. That was 177 years ago.
1849 at a glance
- Years ago
- 177 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 19th century
- Decade
- 1840s
- Generation born
- Before the named generations
- Entries here
- 7
- Breakdown
- 7 historical events
January
- January 23
Elizabeth Blackwell
Elizabeth Blackwell (pictured) graduated from Geneva Medical College in New York, making her the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States.
May
- May 10
Edwin Forrest
A personal dispute between actors Edwin Forrest and William Macready in New York City devolved into a riot that left at least 22 dead and more than 120 injured.
- May 22
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was issued a patent for an invention to lift boats over obstacles in a river, making him the only U.S. president ever to hold a patent.
July
- July 1
Epaulettes (stamp)
Belgium introduced its first series of postage stamps, known as epaulettes (example pictured).
September
- September 17
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman (pictured) escaped from slavery in the U.S. state of Maryland, and later orchestrated the rescues of other slaves via the Underground Railroad.
October
- October 3
Edgar Allan Poe
American author Edgar Allan Poe was found semi-conscious and delirious in Baltimore under mysterious circumstances; it was the last time he was seen in public before his death four days later.
- October 7
Edgar Allan Poe
American writer Edgar Allan Poe died under mysterious circumstances at Washington Medical College four days after being found on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland, in a delirious and incoherent state.
Questions about 1849
What happened in 1849?
This site records 7 entries for 1849, including Elizabeth Blackwell on January 23. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1849?
177 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1849 turns 177 this year.
Which century is 1849 in?
1849 falls in the 19th century, in the 1840s.
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