1866 - What happened in 1866 ?

January 1866

Friday 12:

Royal Aeronautical Society is formed in London.

February 1866

Tuesday 13:

The first daylight robbery in United States history during peacetime takes place in Liberty, Missouri. This is considered to be the first robbery committed by Jesse James and his gang, although James's role is disputed.

Friday 16:

Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes the British Secretary of State for War

March 1866

Saturday 31:

The Spanish Navy bombs the harbour of Valparaíso, Chile

April 1866

Wednesday 04:

Alexander II of Russia narrowly escapes an assassination attempt in the city of Kiev. A design for a city gate to commemorate his escape was the inspiration for Mussorgsky's The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition.

May 1866

Wednesday 02:

Peruvian defenders fight off Spanish fleet at the Battle of Callao.

Wednesday 16:

Charles Elmer Hires invents root beer.

Thursday 31:

In the Fenian Invasion of Canada, John O'Neill leads 850 Fenian raiders across the Niagara River at Buffalo, New York/Fort Erie, Ontario, as part of an effort to free Ireland from the English. Canadian militia and British regulars repulse the invaders in over the next three days, at a cost of 9 dead and 38 wounded to the Fenian's 19 dead and about 17 wounded.

June 1866

Sunday 03:

Fenians are driven out of Fort Erie, Ontario, into the United States to a heroes' welcome.

Tuesday 05:

Calculations indicate Pluto reached its most recent aphelion (furthest point from Sun) on this day. The next aphelion will occur in August 2113.

Friday 08:

The Canadian Parliament meets for the first time in Ottawa.

Monday 11:

The Allahabad High Court (then Agra High Court]] is established in India.

Friday 22:

Battle of Custoza: an Austrian army defeats the Italian army during the Austro-Prussian War.

July 1866

Tuesday 03:

Austro-Prussian War decided at Battle of Königgratz, resulting in Prussia taking over as the prominent German nation from Austria.

Tuesday 24:

Reconstruction: Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted to the Union following the American Civil War.

Wednesday 25:

The U.S. Congress passes legislation authorizing the rank of General of the Army (now called "5-star general") Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first to have this rank.

Friday 27:

The Atlantic Cable is successfully completed, allowing transatlantic telegraph communication for the first time.

Saturday 28:

The Metric Act of 1866 becomes law and legalizes the standardization of weights and measures in the United States.

August 1866

Thursday 23:

Austro-Prussian War ends with the Treaty of Prague