What Happened in 1842 — Events, Births & Deaths

Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien.

John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.

Giuseppe Verdi's third opera, Nabucco, receives its première performance in Milan; its success establishes Verdi as one of Italy's foremost opera composers.

The first documented discovery of gold in California occurs at Rancho San Francisco, six years before the California Gold Rush.

The Female Relief Society of Nauvoo is formally organized with Emma Smith as president.

First concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Otto Nicolai.

Ether anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long.

A train derails and catches fire in Paris, killing between 52 and 200 people.

The first edition of The Illustrated London News, the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine, is published.

The first major wagon train heading for the Pacific Northwest sets out on the Oregon Trail from Elm Grove, Missouri, with 100 pioneers.

The Webster–Ashburton Treaty is signed, establishing the United States–Canada border east of the Rocky Mountains.

American Indian Wars: Second Seminole War ends, with the Seminoles forced from Florida.

First concert of the New York Philharmonic, founded by Ureli Corelli Hill.