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.The census of the United States grows to 17,063,353, up 33% from the decade before. Four states now exceed one million in population; New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia.
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Longest US presidential inauguration speech (8,443 words), William Henry Harrison
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Vice President John Tyler becomes the 10th President of the United States after the death of President William Henry Harrison
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The first major wagon train headed for the northwest via the Oregon Trail begins with one thousand pioneers from Elm Grove, Missouri.
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The New York Herald becomes the first newspaper to mention the game of baseball. In this year, Alexander Cartwright and his New York Knickerbockers baseball team codify the "rules of baseball" for the first time, including nine men per side.
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The Republic of California declares independence from Mexico. Four days later, the bear flag of the Republic of California is raised at Sonoma.
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Twelve thousand American troops under the command of General Winfield Scott take Vera Cruz, Mexico after a siege.
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Abraham Lincoln, as Congressman from Springfield, Illinois, attacked President Polk's handling of the Mexican War in a speech in the House of Representatives.
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With the arrival of the SS California in San Francisco after a four month twenty-one day journey around the Cape Horn from New York City, regular steamboat service is inaugurated between the east and west coasts.
