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Birth of Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, later to be known as his pen name Mark Twain, was born in Florida, Missouri. His parents were Jane Lampton and John Marshall Clemens -
The Move to Hannibal
At the age of four, Samuel and his family move to the port town of Hannibal, Missouri. In the future, Hannibal is the inspiration for a fictional town in two of his most famous novels.
(PS: Dec. 31, is not the exact date) -
A Job for Samuel
At 15, Sam took a job as typesetter/printer for the Hannibal Journal. He also wrote articles and made funny sketches for the newspaper.
(PS: Jan. 1, is not the exact date) -
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New Pen Name
21 year old Samuel spends the next 2 years of his life along the Mississippi River as an apprentice to obtain his river pilot license. During that time, he acquires the pen name Mark Twain (steamboat lingo).
(PS: Jan. 1 is not the exact date) -
The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
Then known as "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog," Mark Twain published a story about an experience he had in 1864 at a mining camp. The short story sparked his popularity and was shared across many newspapers/magazines. -
The Innocents Abroad
In 1869, Twain publishes his first book, "The Innocents Abroad." The collection becomes a bestseller.
(PS: Jan, 1, is not the exact date) -
Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain wrote a novel inspired by his childhood, known as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." A supporting character in this novel would soon be the main character in a future novel of Twain's.
(PS: Jan. 1, isn't the exact date) -
Huck Finn
A sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer comes the critically acclaimed novel known as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. It becomes known as his greatest nonfiction work and is claimed by many to be the first Great American Novel.
(PS: Jan. 1, is not the exact date) -
Death of Twain
In Redding, Connecticut, Mark Twain passes away at the age of 74.
