Crimean War: France and Britain declare war on Russia.

The Crimean War (1853–1856) was a major conflict primarily between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Sardinia. It was sparked by disputes over the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, then under Ottoman control, but it quickly escalated into a broader struggle for influence in the declining Ottoman Empire. The war is most famous for brutal trench warfare, the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade, and the pioneering work of Florence Nightingale in modern nursing. Fought largely on the Crimean Peninsula, the conflict exposed serious flaws in military logistics, leadership, and medical care on all sides. It ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1856, which neutralized the Black Sea and forbade Russian naval presence there—temporarily checking Russian expansion. The war marked a turning point in military history, ushering in new technologies like railways and the telegraph, while also highlighting the need for reform in many European armies.

Typhoid Mary, the first healthy carrier of disease ever identified in the United States, is put in quarantine for the second time, where she would remain for the rest of her life.

Typhoid Mary, whose real name was Mary Mallon, was an Irish-born cook who became infamous in the early 1900s as the first documented asymptomatic carrier of Salmonella typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. Although she showed no symptoms herself, Mary unwittingly infected at least 51 people—three of whom died—while working as a cook in New York City. Public health officials tracked her down after multiple typhoid outbreaks were linked to households where she had been employed. Despite being warned, she resisted abandoning her profession, leading to her forced quarantine on two separate occasions, for a total of nearly 26 years. Her case sparked major ethical and legal debates about individual rights versus public health safety, and she remains a symbol of the complex tension between personal freedom and disease control.

The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York.

The Book of Mormon is a foundational religious text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), first published in 1830 by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have translated it from ancient golden plates revealed to him by an angel named Moroni. The narrative follows several groups of people who migrated from the ancient Near East to the Americas, including the Nephites and Lamanites—descendants of a prophet named Lehi—and details their spiritual and political struggles over centuries. Central to the text is the appearance of Jesus Christ in the Americas after His resurrection, reinforcing its subtitle: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The book emphasizes themes like faith, repentance, revelation, and divine justice, and it’s considered by believers to be both a historical account and sacred scripture, on par with the Bible. Critics, however, question its historical authenticity, leading to ongoing scholarly and theological debates.

Robert the Bruce becomes King of Scots (Scotland).

Robert the Bruce was a pivotal figure in Scottish history, best known for leading Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England. Born in 1274, he was crowned King of Scots in 1306 after a turbulent power struggle, including the infamous murder of his rival, John Comyn, at a church altar. Though initially facing defeats and excommunication, Bruce’s resilience and guerrilla warfare tactics eventually turned the tide. His greatest triumph came at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where his smaller, more agile forces decisively defeated the English army led by Edward II. This victory was a major step toward Scottish independence, which was later recognized in the 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. Robert the Bruce is remembered not just as a warrior king, but also as a symbol of perseverance and national pride.

Robert Koch announces the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis

Robert Koch was a pioneering German physician and microbiologist who played a key role in founding modern bacteriology. He is best known for discovering the causative agents of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and cholera (Vibrio cholerae), and for identifying anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) as a bacterial disease. His work established the now-famous Koch’s postulates, a systematic method for linking specific pathogens to specific diseases, which became a foundational principle in medical microbiology. Koch’s meticulous techniques in isolating and cultivating bacteria transformed diagnostic microbiology into a scientific discipline. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905 for his work on tuberculosis. His legacy still resonates today in public health, infectious disease research, and epidemiology

The Affordable Care Act becomes law in the United States.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), often referred to as “Obamacare,” is a comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in March 2010 with the primary goal of expanding health insurance coverage, improving healthcare quality, and reducing overall healthcare costs in the United States. One of its core features is the individual mandate, which initially required most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty—though this penalty was later reduced to zero at the federal level. The ACA also established health insurance marketplaces where individuals can compare and purchase plans, often with income-based subsidies to make coverage more affordable. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage due to preexisting conditions and allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26. Additionally, it expanded Medicaid eligibility in many states, though not all states adopted this expansion. Despite ongoing political debate, the ACA significantly reduced the uninsured rate and introduced essential health benefits that all plans must cover, marking a major shift in the U.S. healthcare landscape.

The Stanley Cup ice hockey competition is held for the first time, in Montreal, Canada.
The Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize in professional ice hockey, awarded annually to the playoff champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originating in 1893, it’s the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America. Named after Lord Stanley of Preston, the then-Governor General of Canada, the Cup carries a legacy that blends tradition with fierce competition. The tournament to win the Cup takes place after the NHL regular season and features a best-of-seven series format across four rounds. What makes the Stanley Cup particularly iconic is not just its history, but also the deep-rooted rituals surrounding it—like the tradition of each winning player getting personal time with the trophy. The names of players, coaches, and staff from the winning team are etched into the Cup itself, literally cementing their legacy in hockey history. It’s more than a championship; it’s a symbol of endurance, skill, and ultimate glory in the world of ice hockey.

Code Napoléon is adopted as French civil law.

The Napoleonic Code, officially known as the Code Civil des Français, was enacted in 1804 under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte and remains one of the most influential legal systems in history. It aimed to replace the complex and inconsistent laws of pre-revolutionary France with a clear, accessible, and uniform legal framework based on principles of equality before the law, secular authority, and individual rights. The code abolished feudal privileges, standardized property rights, and reinforced patriarchal authority within the family. It also established legal clarity by codifying civil law into systematic statutes, making justice more predictable. While it promoted legal equality, it notably limited rights for women and reinforced male dominance in family and social structures. The Napoleonic Code’s influence extended beyond France, shaping legal systems in Europe, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East, laying the foundation for modern civil law traditions worldwide.

The Great Boston Fire of 1760 destroys 349 buildings.

The Great Boston Fire of 1760 was a devastating blaze that tore through the city on March 20, 1760, destroying a significant portion of Boston’s commercial district. The fire began in a shop near the southern end of Cornhill (now Washington Street) and quickly spread due to strong winds and the city’s densely packed wooden buildings. Within hours, it consumed over 349 buildings, leaving more than a thousand people homeless. Despite efforts to contain it, the lack of an organized fire department and the limited availability of water made suppression difficult. The fire caused immense economic damage, destroying warehouses, homes, and businesses, dealing a heavy blow to Boston’s economy. In response, the city implemented stricter building regulations, encouraging the use of brick structures to prevent future disasters. This fire, though overshadowed by the later Great Boston Fire of 1872, was one of the most destructive in colonial American history, highlighting the vulnerabilities of early urban infrastructure.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, is a massive steel arch bridge that spans Sydney Harbour, connecting the central business district (CBD) with the North Shore. Opened on March 19, 1932, it remains the world’s largest steel arch bridge, stretching 1,149 meters (3,770 feet) with an impressive arch rising 134 meters (440 feet) above the water. Designed by John Bradfield, the bridge supports road traffic, trains, pedestrians, and cyclists, making it a crucial transport link in Sydney. Often nicknamed the “Coathanger” due to its distinctive arch shape, it offers breathtaking views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, especially from the BridgeClimb, an adventure that lets visitors ascend to the top. Beyond its engineering marvel, the bridge is a cultural symbol, famously illuminated during events like New Year’s Eve fireworks, drawing millions of spectators worldwide.