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David Alter from Pennsylvania develops the first American electrical telegraph, but he never develops the idea into a practical system.
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Samuel Chester Reid proposes that the U.S. Congress fund an optical telegraph (semaphore line) from New York to New Orleans
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Morse's first message over the Baltimore-Washington telegraph line, "What hath God wrought!" is transmitted, chosen from the Bible for Morse by Annie G. Ellsworth, because she knew Morse was religious
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First public telegraph office opens in Washington, D.C
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Morse founds the Magnetic Telegraph Company with 4 other people.
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Wood builds another line from Buffalo to Lockport in New York.
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The New York Herald notes a plan for another line.
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The Albany line finally opens in New York. The lines goes for 43 miles.
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Another line open from Chicago to Milwaukee.
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Most of the Eastern Line finally reach Detroit.