What happened in 1851
11 entries recorded for 1851, listed by date. That was 175 years ago.
1851 at a glance
- Years ago
- 175 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 19th century
- Decade
- 1850s
- Generation born
- Before the named generations
- Entries here
- 11
- Breakdown
- 11 historical events
February
- February 11
Victoria (state)
As part of celebrations marking the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, the inaugural first-class cricket match in Australia began at the Launceston Racecourse in Tasmania.
March
May
- May 21
Congress of Colombia
The Congress of Colombia passed a law abolishing slavery in the country, to take effect at the beginning of the new year.
- May 29
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (pictured) delivered her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the Woman's Rights Convention in Akron.
August
- August 22
America (yacht)
The yacht America won the race for the Cup of One Hundred Sovereigns (trophy pictured), later renamed the America's Cup, near the Isle of Wight, England.
September
- September 11
Christiana Riot
In a fight near Christiana, Pennsylvania, a group of escaped slaves and free Blacks led by William Parker fought off a federal posse seeking to arrest and return the escapees to slavery.
- September 18
The New York Times
The New York Times, the largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States, was founded.
- September 27
East India Company
The British East India Company inaugurated the Horsburgh Lighthouse on the rocky outcrop of Pedra Branca, Singapore, which later became the subject of a territorial dispute.
October
- October 24
William Lassell
William Lassell found Umbriel and Ariel, the third and fourth Uranian moons to be discovered.
November
- November 14
Moby-Dick
Moby-Dick, an epic novel by American writer Herman Melville, was first published in the United States.
- November 26
Bombardment of Salé
The French navy bombarded Salé, Morocco (pictured), damaging the city's infrastructure and its Great Mosque.
Questions about 1851
What happened in 1851?
This site records 11 entries for 1851, including Victoria (state) on February 11. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1851?
175 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1851 turns 175 this year.
Which century is 1851 in?
1851 falls in the 19th century, in the 1850s.
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