February 1861

Friday 01:

American Civil War: Texas secedes from the United States.

Monday 04:

American Civil War: In Montgomery, Alabama the Confederate States of America is formed by delegates from six break-away United States.

Friday 08:

American Civil War: The Confederate States of America are formed. Jefferson Davis is selected as first president.

Saturday 09:

American Civil War: Jefferson Davis is elected the Provisional President of the Confederate States of America by the Confederate convention at Montgomery, Alabama.

Monday 11:

American Civil War: United States House of Representatives unanimously passes a resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state.

Monday 18:

With the Italian unification almost complete, King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, Savoy and Sardinia assumes the title of King of Italy.

Tuesday 19:

Serfdom is abolished in Russia.

Saturday 23:

President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington, DC after an assassination attempt in Baltimore, Maryland.

Wednesday 27:

A crowd in Warsaw protesting Russian rule over Poland is fired upon by Russian troops, killing five protesters.

Thursday 28:

Colorado is organized as a United States territory.