What Happened in 1838 — Events, Births & Deaths
1838 brings together 8 events, 0 birthdays and 0 deaths recorded across history.
January 1
- January 6
Alfred Vail and colleagues demonstrate a telegraph system using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code).
February 1
- February 17
In the Weenen massacre, hundreds of Voortrekkers along the Blaukraans River, Natal are killed by Zulus.
July 1
- July 15
Ralph Waldo Emerson delivers the Divinity School Address at Harvard Divinity School, discounting Biblical miracles and declaring Jesus a great man, but not God. The Protestant community reacts with outrage.
August 1
- August 18
The Wilkes Expedition, which would explore the Puget Sound and Antarctica, weighs anchor at Hampton Roads.
September 2
- September 1
Saint Andrew's Scots School, the oldest school of British origin in South America, is established.
- September 3
Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery.
October 1
- October 27
Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs issues the Extermination Order, which orders all Mormons to leave the state or be killed.
December 1
- December 16
Great Trek: Battle of Blood River: Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers defeat Zulu impis, led by Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi in what is today KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.