References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 April 30.

1810 January 7 Joseph Lipavsky composer, dies at 37. [1] January 10 Sweden signs peace with France, regaining Pomerania, at a cost of breaking all trade with England except for salt imports. [7] French church annuls marriage of Napoleon I and Joséphine. [1] January 19 Overnight temp at Portsmouth New Hampshire drops 50 degrees F (10 degrees C). [1] January 28 Andrew Hofer Tyrolian rebel against French and Bavarians, shot dead. [1] February 1 First insurance company managed by blacks (American Insurance Company of Philadelphia). [1] Seville, Spain surrenders to the French. [1] US Population - 7,239,881; Black population - 1,377,808 (19%). [1] February 11 Napoleon marries Marie-Louise of Austria. [1] February 20 Andreas Hofer military leader (fought Napoleon's France), executed at 42. [1] Johann Friedrich Kranz composer, dies at 57. [1] February 24 Henry Cavendish physicist/chemist, dies. [1] February 26 Johann Ernst Rembt composer, dies at 60. [1] February 28 First US fire insurance joint-stock company organized, Philadelphia. [1] March 6 Illinois passes first state vaccination legislation in US. [1] March 7 Albertus H Wiese Governor-General of Netherland Indies, dies at about 48. [1] March 11 Emperor Napoleon married by proxy to Archduchess Marie Louise. [1] March 18 "Converse", first US opera, premieres in New York. [1] March 21 Philippe-Joseph van den Berghe graaf Limmighe Brabants ships, dies. [1] April 7 Pieter L van de Kasteele Dutch politician/patriot, dies at 61. [1] April 10 Konrad Back composer, dies at 60. [1] April 11 Jakob Zupan composer, dies at 75. [1] May 3 Lord Byron swims the Hellespont. [1] May 21 Charles Chevalier d'Eon de Beaumont French spy, dies at 81. [1] May 25 Argentina declares independence from Napoleonic Spain (National Day). [1] May 28 In Skåne, Sweden, Prince Karl August has a stroke, falls from a horse while attending a military review, and dies within a half hour. [7] June 3 In Dublin, Ireland, Robert Mallet is born; engineer, inventor of the word seismology, considered the "first" seismologist. [53] June 23 John Jacob Astor organizes Pacific Fur Co (Astoria, Oregon). [1] July 20 Colombia declared independence from Spain. [1] August 21 In Örebro, Sweden, the Riksdag elects Jean Baptiste Bernadotte of France crown prince of Sweden. [7] September 16 Hidalgo begins Mexican revolt against Spain (National Day). [1] September 18 Chile declares independence from Spain (National Day). [1] October 20 Jean Baptiste Bernadotte arrives in Sweden, converts to the Lutheran faith, and is given the name Prince Karl Johan. [7] October 27 US annexes West Florida from Spain. [1] December 15 First Irish magazine in US, The Shamrock, is published. [1] December 19 Johann Heinrich Egli composer, dies at 68. [1] December 22 British frigate Minotaur sinks killing 480. [1] 1811 January 2 US Senator Thomas Pickering is first senator censured (revealed confidential documents communicated by the President of the US). [1] January 8 Death of Friedrich Nicolai in Berlin, Germany; leader of enlightenment movement in Germany, book dealer and writer. [1] [37] Louisiana slave revolt by Charles Deslondes at German Coast. [1] Samuel Story Dutch rear admiral (Battle of Kamperduin), dies at 58. [1] January 10 Louisiana slaves rebel in two parishes. [1] Marie-Joseph de Chénier French poet (Chant du Départ), dies at 46. [1] February 2 Russian settlers establish Fort Ross trading post, north of San Francisco. [1] February 9 Nevill Maskelyne 5th Astronomer Royal of England (1765-1811), dies. [1] February 11 President Madison prohibits trade with Britain for third time in four years. [1] February 20 Austria declares bankruptcy. [1] March 1 Egyptian king Muhammad Ali Pasha oversees ceremonial murder of 500. [1] French Civil Code of Criminal law accepted by Netherlands Mamelukes in Cairo's Citadel. [1] March 14 August Henry Fitzroy English premier (1768-70), dies at 75. [1] March 19 Frantisek Adam Mica composer, dies at 65. [1] April 3 Pieter-Jozef Verhaghen Flemish (court)painter, dies at 83. [1] April 5 Robert Raikes founder of Sunday Schools, dies. [1] April 12 First US colonists on Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment Washington. [1] April 15 Ernest Louis Muller composer, dies at 70. [1] May 12 Louis-Charles-Joseph Rey composer, dies at 52. [1] May 14 Paraguay gains independence from Spain (National Day). [1] May 16 Peninsular War-Allies defeat French at Albuera. [1] July 5 Venezuela, first South American country to gain independence from Spain. [1] July 31 Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Mexican hero priest, executed by Spanish. [1] October 11 The Juliana, the first steam-powered ferryboat, begins operation. [1] October 29 First Ohio River steamboat leaves Pittsburgh for New Orleans. [1] November 5 El Salvador's first battle against Spain for independence. [1] November 7 Battle of Tippecanoe, gave Harrison a presidential slogan. [1] November 11 Cartagena Colombia declares independence from Spain. [1] December 7 Ignaz Spangler composer, dies at 54. [1] December 16 In New Madrid, Missouri, a magnitude 7.2 - 8.1 earthquake occurs, the most violent and prolonged earthquake in the US Midwest region. [1] [53] [1] December 17 John Antes composer, dies at 71. [1] Louis-Abet Deffroy de Reigny composer, dies at 54. [1] 1812 January 9 Swedish Pomerania (Germany) seized by Napoleon. [1] January 12 First cargo arrives in New Orleans by steam, from Natchez. [1] January 15 Johannes Herbst composer, dies at 76. [1] January 23 In New Madrid Area, Missouri, a magnitude 7.0 - 7.8 earthquake occurs, one of the largest earthquakes in the United States. [1] [53] January 24 Eligio Celestino composer, dies at 72. [1] February 5 Franz Schneider composer, dies at 74. [1] February 7 In New Madrid, Missouri, a magnitude 7.4 - 8.2 earthquake occurs, the largest historical earthquake in Missouri. The town of New Madrid is destroyed. [1] [53] Lord Byron makes his maiden speech in House of Lords. [1] February 9 Franz Anton Hoffmeister composer, dies at 57. [1] February 11 Massachusetts Governor Gerry signs a redistricting bill-the first "gerrymander. [1] February 24 Hugo Kollataj Polish teacher/minister, dies at 61. [1] March 3 US Congress passes first foreign aid bill (aids Venezuela earthquake vicitims). [1] March 11 Citizenship granted to Prussian Jews. [1] March 14 US Congress authorizes war bonds to finance War of 1812. [1] March 15 First Russian settlement in California, Russian River. [1] March 20 Jan Ladislav Dussek Bohemian pianist/composer, dies at 52. [1] March 26 In Venezuela, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurs, destroying 90 percent of the city of Caracas. 26,000 killed. [1] [53] April 5 British storm Badajoz fortress, held by French and Spanish. [1] April 11 Gottlieb Schick German painter (Opfer Noachs), dies at 35. [1] April 20 George Clinton 4th US Vice President, dies at 73 first Vice President to die in office. [1] April 23 Franz Sebastian Haindl composer, dies at 85. [1] April 30 (Eastern) Louisiana admitted as 18th US state. [1] May 11 Waltz introduced into English ballrooms - Most observers consider it disgusting and immoral. No wonder it caught on!. [1] May 13 Johann Matthias Sperger composer, dies at 62. [1] May 21 Joseph Wolfl composer, dies at 38. [1] May 25 Earthquake destroys Caracas Venezuela. [1] June 4 Louisiana Territory officially renamed "Missouri Territory". [1] June 12 Napoleon's invasion of Russia begins. [1] June 18 War of 1812 begins as US declares war against Britain. [1] July 11 US invades Canada (Detroit frontier). [1] July 12 US forces led by General Hull invade Canada (War of 1812). [1] July 22 Duke of Wellington defeats French at Battle of Salamanca, Spain. [1] August 1 A rare tornado hits Westchester County, New York. [1] August 16 General Hull surrenders Detroit and Michigan territory to England. [1] August 19 US warship Constitution defeats British warship Guerriere. [1] September 14 Napoleon occupies Moscow. [1] September 16 Fire of Moscow. [1] October 13 Battle of Queenston Heights. [1] October 19 Napoleon begins his retreat from Moscow. [1] October 25 US frigate United States captures British vessel Macedonian. [1] November 29 Napoleon's Grand Army crosses Berezina River in retreat from Russia. [1] December 2 James Madison re-elected President of US, Elbridge Gerry Vice-President. [1] December 4 Peter Gaillard of Lancaster Pennsylvania patents a horse-drawn mower. [1] December 8 In Southern California, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs, destroying the San Juan Capistrano Church and damaging several mission buildings. Forty people attending church services killed. [53] December 11 First newspaper on Curaçao (Curaçao Gazette and Commercial Advertiser). [1] December 12 John Malchair composer, dies at 82. [1] December 13 Marianne von Martinez composer, dies at 68. [1] December 20 Sacagawea Shoshone interpreter for Lewis and Clark, dies. [1] December 21 In Santa Barbara Channel, California, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurs. [53] December 23 Michel Delalande composer, dies at 73. [1] 1813 January 11 First pineapples planted in Hawaii. [1] January 14 Gideon Hawley becomes first state school superintendent in US (New York). [1] January 20 C M Wieland writer, dies at 79. [1] January 22 Americans capture Frenchtown, Canada. [1] January 23 George Clymer US merchant (signed Declaration of Independence), dies at 73. [1] January 28 Jan Joseph Rosler composer, dies at 41. [1] February 23 First US raw cotton-to-cloth mill founded in Waltham Massachusetts. [1] February 26 Robert R Livingston US diplomat (Declaration of Independence), dies at 66. [1] February 27 First federal vaccination legislation enacted. [1] US Congress authorizes use of steamboats to transport mail. [1] March 3 Office of Surgeon General of the US army is established. [1] Prince Karl Johan of Sween concludes an alliance with England. England cedes Guadeloupe island in West Indies to Sweden, and agrees to Sweden's demands on Norway. [7] March 8 First concerto of Royal Philharmonic. [1] March 18 David Melville, Newport Rhode Island, patents apparatus for making coal gas. [1] March 25 First US flag flown in battle on the Pacific, frigate Essex. [1] April 14 Joachim Nicolas Eggert composer, dies at 34. [1] April 19 Benjamin Rush physician/abolotionist (signed Declaration of Independence), dies at 67. [1] April 25 Louis-Sébastien Mercier French poet (Le Déserteur), dies at 73. [1] April 27 Americans under General Pike capture Toronto; Pike is killed. [1] Zebulon M Pike US explorer (Pike's Peak), dies in battle at 34. [1] April 29 Christian Danner composer, dies at 55. [1] Rubber is patented. [1] May 27 Americans capture Fort George, Canada. [1] June 6 US invasion of Canada halted at Stoney Creek (Ont). [1] June 24 Battle of Beaver Dam-British and Indian forces defeat US forces. [1] July 9 At Trachenberg palace in Silesia, over four days, a meeting is held including Prince Karl Johan, King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, tsar Alexander of Russia, and diplomats from Austria and England. They make plans for action against Napoleon in the autumn. The Trachenberg Plan is created, in which the three main armies would form a semi-circle to converge on Napoleon. Prince Karl Johan is given command of the Northern Army of 160,000 men with 30,000 Swedish soldiers. [7] July 31 British invade Plattsburgh, New York. [1] August 14 British warship Pelican attacks and captures US war brigantine Argus. [1] September 10 Comm Oliver H Perry defeats the British in the Battle of Lake Erie. [1] October 5 Battle of the Thames in Canada; Americans defeat British. [1] October 16 At Leipzig, over four days, allied forces converge on Napoleon's position, defeating him. Total forces number 320,000 Allies vs. 160,000 French. About 94,000 are killed or wounded. [7] October 20 German Kingdom of Westphalia abolished. [1] November 6 Chilpancingo congress declares Mexico independent of Spain. [1] December 1 Ferdinando Bertoni composer, dies at 88. [1] December 2 Prince Willem Frederik accepts constitutional monarchy. [1] December 5 Lübeck surrenders to allied armies. [1] December 8 Ludwig von Beethoven's 7th Symphony in A, premieres. [1] December 18 British take Fort Niagara in the War of 1812. [1] December 26 Zamose, Modlin, Torgau surrender to allied armies. [1] December 29 British burn Buffalo New York during the War of 1812. [1] December 30 Danzig surrenders to allied armies. [1] 1814 January 1 Field marshal Blücher's troops cross the Rhine at Kaub. [1] January 2 Lord Byron completes "The Corsair". [1] January 5 Johann Gottfried Krebs composer, dies at 72. [1] January 14 By the Treaty of Kiel, peace between Sweden and Denmark is concluded. Danish King Frederik cedes to the king of Sweden and his successors the kingdom of Norway. Denmark is to receive one million riksdaler and the province of Pomerania. Sweden is to pay Norway's per-capita share of Denmark's national debt. Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe islands are retained by Denmark. [1] [7] January 22 First Knights Templar grand encampment in US held, New York City, New York. [1] January 23 Georg Friedrich Theodor Wolf composer, dies at 52. [1] January 27 Johann Gottlieb Fichte philosopher, dies. [1] Philip Astley theatre manager, dies. [1] January 28 Stendahl's first book is published. [1] January 29 Johann G Fichte German philosopher (Wissenschaftslehre), dies at 51. [1] February 1 Lord Byron's "The Corsair" sells 10,000 copies on the day of publication. [1] Volcano Mayon on Luzon Philippines erupts killing 1,200. [1] February 3 Johann Antonin Kozeluch composer, dies at 75. [1] February 11 Norway's independence proclaimed. [1] February 13 Augustin Holler composer, dies at 69. [1] February 27 Ludwig von Beethovens 8th Symphony in F, premieres. [1] March 20 Prince Willem Frederik becomes monarch of Netherlands. [1] March 25 Netherlands Bank established. [1] March 27 Battle at Horseshoe Bend: General Andrew Jackson beats Creek-Indians. [1] March 29 Battle at Horseshoe Bend Alabama: Andrew Jackson beats Creek-Indians. [1] March 30 Britain and allies march into Paris after defeating Napoleon. [1] March 31 Forces allied against Napoleon capture Paris France. [1] April 1 Jozef de Ferraris French/Austrian General/cartographer, dies at 87. [1] April 5 Netherlands Bank issues its first banknotes. [1] April 9 Elias Canneman (Liberal) resigns as minister of Finance. [1] April 11 First abdication of France by Napoleon; he is exiled to Elba. [1] April 14 Napoleon abdicated and is banished to Elba. [1] April 26 King Louis XVIII lands on Calais, from England. [1] May 4 Bourbon reign restored in France. [1] May 5 British attack Fort Ontario, Oswego New York. [1] May 6 George Joseph Vogler composer, dies at 64. [1] May 7 Franz Volrath Buttstett composer, dies at 79. [1] May 11 Americans defeat British at Battle of Plattsburgh. [1] May 12 Robert Treat Paine US judge (signed Declaration of Independence), dies at 83. [1] May 17 Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden (National Day). [1] Norwegian constitution passed by constituent assembly at Eidsvoll. [1] May 29 Joséphine empress of France (1804-14), dies. [1] May 30 In Paris, France, the Treaty of Paris is signed, bringing peace between Great Britain and her allies and France. France recognizes the Union of Norway and Sweden. The King of Sweden and Norway restores Guadeloupe to France, with England paying 24 million francs to Sweden as compensation. [1] [7] July 3 Americans capture Fort Erie, Canada. [1] July 5 Americans defeat British and Canadians at Chippewa, Ontario. [1] July 18 British capture Prairie du Chien (Wisc). [1] July 25 Battle of Niagara Falls (Lundy's Lane); Americans defeat British. [1] August 8 Peace negotiations begin in Ghent, Belgium. [1] August 24 British sack Washington, DC, White House burned. [1] August 25 British capture Washington DC. [1] September 11 Battle of Lake Champlain, NY; Americans defeat British. [1] September 12 Battle of North Point fought near Baltimore during War of 1812. [1] September 14 Francis Scott Key inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner". [1] December 2 Marquis de Sade writer, dies at 74. [1] December 9 Jose Angel Lamas composer, dies at 39. [1] December 13 Charles Joseph Prince of Ligne Belgian fieldmarshal/author, dies at 79. [1] December 24 Treaty of Ghent (end of the War of 1812) signed. [1]