What Happened in 1856 — Events, Births & Deaths

First Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers.

Queen Victoria issues a Warrant under the Royal sign-manual that establishes the Victoria Cross to recognise acts of valour by British military personnel during the Crimean War.

The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Crimean War.

Australian labour movement: Stonemasons and building workers on building sites around Melbourne march from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House to achieve an eight-hour day.

John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas.

A group of 194 Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the mutineers of HMS Bounty, arrives at Norfolk Island, commencing the Third Settlement of the Island.

Five hundred Mormons leave Iowa City, Iowa for the Mormon Trail.

Christchurch, New Zealand, is chartered as a city.

The Second Opium War between several western powers and China begins with the Arrow Incident.