January 10
January 10
Outlaw Frank James born in Missouri
Franklin James, the lesser‑known older brother of Jesse, is born in Clay County, Missouri. Frank and Jesse James were both legends in their own time, though Jesse is better remembered…
A Year In History: 1843
This Year in History:
1843
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 29
January 29
William McKinley is born
On this day in 1843, future President William McKinley is born in Niles, Ohio. McKinley fought bravely as a Union infantryman in the Civil War and was awarded a battlefield…
January 29
January 29
Future president William McKinley is born
On January 29, 1843, William McKinley, who will become the 25th American president and the first to ride in an automobile, is born in Niles, Ohio. McKinley served in the…
April 4
April 4
Yellowstone photographer William Jackson is born
William Jackson is born in Keeseville, New York. His powerful photographs of Yellowstone helped make it the first national park. Jackson received no formal training in photography. As a young…
May 7
May 7
First Japanese immigrant arrives in the U.S.
Called the U.S.’s first ambassador to Japan, a 14‑year‑old fisherman by the name of Manjiro is considered America’s first Japanese immigrant, arriving in the country on May 7, 1843, by…
May 22
May 22
Great Emigration departs for Oregon
A massive wagon train, made up of 1,000 settlers and 1,000 head of cattle, sets off down the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri. Known as the “Great Emigration,” the expedition…
May 22
May 22
A thousand pioneers head West as part of the Great Emigration
The first major wagon train to the northwest departs from Elm Grove, Missouri, on the Oregon Trail. Although U.S. sovereignty over the Oregon Territory was not clearly established until 1846, American fur trappers…
May 29
May 29
John C. Fremont begins his second expedition into western U.S.
John C. Fremont again departs from St. Louis to explore the West, having only recently returned from his first western expedition. The son of a French father and American mother,…
October 13
October 13
B’nai B’rith founded
B’nai B’rith, the oldest Jewish service organization in the world, is founded in New York City by Henry Jones and 11 others. B’nai B’rith, meaning “Sons of the Covenant,” organized…
November 20
November 20
Blacksnake Hills trading post is renamed St. Joseph
Established as the Blacksnake Hills trading post in 1826, the growing community along the banks of the Missouri River adopts the more impressive St. Joseph as its name. As with…
December 19
December 19
“A Christmas Carol” is published
On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol” is published. Dickens was born in 1812 and attended school in Portsmouth. His father, a clerk in the navy…
