What Happened in 1866 — Events, Births & Deaths

The Royal Aeronautical Society is formed in London.

Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes British Secretary of State for War.

President of the United States of America Andrew Johnson vetoes the Civil Rights Act of 1866. His veto is overridden by Congress and the bill passes into law on April 9.

Austro-Prussian War: Italy and Prussia sign a secret alliance against the Austrian Empire.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by Henry Bergh.

The Memphis Race Riots begin. Over three days, 46 blacks and two whites were killed. Reports of the atrocities influenced passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Peruvian defenders fight off the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Callao.

Memorial Day first celebrated in United States at Waterloo, New York.

The United States Congress establishes the nickel.

The Fenians defeat Canadian forces at Ridgeway and Fort Erie, but the raids end soon after.

One thousand eight hundred Fenian raiders are repelled back to the United States after looting and plundering the Saint-Armand and Frelighsburg areas of Canada East.

Austro-Prussian War: In the Battle of Custoza an Austrian army defeats the Italian army.

Austro-Prussian War is decided at the Battle of Königgrätz, enabling Prussia to exclude Austria from German affairs.

Reconstruction: Tennessee becomes the first U.S. state to be readmitted to Congress following the American Civil War.

The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable is successfully completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland.

At the age of 18, Vinnie Ream becomes the first and youngest female artist to receive a commission from the United States government for a statue (of Abraham Lincoln).

Armed Confederate veterans in New Orleans riot against a meeting of Radical Republicans, killing 48 people and injuring another 100.

The Battle of Curupayty is Paraguay's only significant victory in the Paraguayan War.

In accordance with the Treaty of Vienna, Austria cedes Veneto and Mantua to France, which immediately awards them to Italy in exchange for the earlier Italian acquiescence to the French annexation of Savoy and Nice.

A plebiscite ratifies the annexation of Veneto and Mantua to Italy, which had occurred three days before on October 19.

Oaks explosion: The worst mining disaster in England kills 361 miners and rescuers.