The last slaves in New York were freed.
Englishman John Walker invented modern-day wooden matches that create a flame through friction.
The first edition of The Standard was published in London.
The first African American newspaper called 'Freedom's Journal' was published in the US.
The first Duke of Wellington became Commander in Chief, making him the professional head of the British Army.
Eggnog riots begin at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
British pharmacist John Walker invented the matchstick by accident.
Major Gordon Laing became the first non-Muslim to enter Timbuktu.
The galaxy Centaurus A was discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop.
Uruguay gained independence from Brazil, which is now celebrated as a National Holiday for Uruguayans.
Bolivia gained independence from Peru.
The Great Flood of St Petersburg killed 10,000 people and affected almost half a million more.
One thousand Nigerian troops were airlifted into Liberia to end the occupation of Monrovia.
Noah Cushing patented the washing machine in Quebec, Canada.
Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th (Chorale) Symphony premiered in Vienna.
Mexico was officially recognized as an independent nation by the US.
Pedro I was crowned Emperor of Brazil.
The British newspaper The Sunday Times was first published.
Dom Pedro I, the founder and first ruler of the empire of Brazil, declared Brazil's independence from Portugal.
Norway's deadliest fire happened when Grue's church burned down, killing one hundred and thirteen people inside.
The New York Horticultural Society was founded.
The Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire was drafted at the National Palace in Mexico City.
British ship Eliza Frances discovered the island of Jarvis in the South Pacific Ocean.
Missouri entered the United States Union and became the 24th state.
George IV succeeded his father, George III, as King of the United Kingdom.
The New York Eye Infirmary opened, and it was the first specialty hospital of its kind in the western hemisphere.
Maine became the 23rd state to join the United States of America.
Fabian von Bellinghausen discovers the Antarctic.
Alabama became the 22nd state to join the United States of America.
Norwich University was founded in Vermont.
The Bank of Savings in New York City became the first bank in the US.
Captain William Smith discovered Williams Point at the far northeast of Livingston in the South Shetlands.
The Christmas carol 'Silent Night' composed by Franz Xaver Gruber was first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria.
Illinois became the 21st state to join the United States of America.
The pianist Felix Mendelssohn performed for the first time in Berlin at just nine years old.
US Congress released a US flag that featured 20 stars and 13 red and white stripes.
Mississippi was admitted to the Union, making it the 20th American state.
The US had its first sword-swallowing performance in New York City.
There were sightings of a giant sea serpent in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
The first predecessor of the bicycle is demonstrated.
The New York Stock Exchange was founded.
Indiana became the 19th state to join the United States of America.
The University of Warsaw, Poland, was founded as a Royal University following the Partitions of Poland.
The Congress of Vienna declared Kraków, Poland, a free republic state, and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Poland was signed.
Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
Napoleon I undertook a ceremony to make his authority officially recognized.
Mount Tambora erupted in Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).
Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from Elba.
Switzerland opened the world's first commercial cheese factory.
The Treaty of Ghent was signed, which ended the War of 1812 between the US, the UK, and their allies.
