June. The U. S. capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.
February 11. The electors' votes for president are officially opened and counted in Congress, which already knows that the vote is tied between Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
Ohio outlaws slavery
Supreme Court establishes judicial review
page 266 in Discovoring our past/A US history
Lewis and Clark begin expedition
page 266
As Jefferson's successor, Madison won the 1808 presidential election handily, despite a challenge from his estranged friend, James Monroe.