What Happened in 1846 — Events, Births & Deaths

Slavery in Tunisia is abolished.

The first Mormon pioneers make their exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois, westward towards Salt Lake Valley.

First Anglo-Sikh War: Battle of Sobraon: British defeat Sikhs in the final battle of the war.

In Austin, Texas, the newly formed Texas state government is officially installed. The Republic of Texas government officially transfers power to the State of Texas government following the annexation of Texas by the United States.

Thornton Affair: Open conflict begins over the disputed border of Texas, triggering the Mexican–American War.

Mexican–American War: American forces led by Zachary Taylor defeat a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande in the first major battle of the war.

The Donner Party of pioneers departs Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship and cannibalism.

Bear Flag Revolt begins: Anglo settlers in Sonoma, California, start a rebellion against Mexico and proclaim the California Republic.

The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1818, westward to the Pacific Ocean.

The Papal conclave of 1846 elects Pope Pius IX, beginning the longest reign in the history of the papacy.

The first officially recorded, organized baseball game is played under Alexander Cartwright's rules on Hoboken, New Jersey's Elysian Fields with the New York Base Ball Club defeating the Knickerbockers 23–1. Cartwright umpired.

The Second Federal Republic of Mexico is established.

Elias Howe is granted a patent for the sewing machine.

Jang Bahadur and his brothers massacre about 40 members of the Nepalese palace court.

Astronomers Urbain Le Verrier, John Couch Adams and Johann Gottfried Galle collaborate on the discovery of Neptune.

Mexican–American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey.

Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune, is discovered by English astronomer William Lassell.

Iowa is admitted as the 29th U.S. state.