1857

Years: 1854 1855 1856 - 1857 - 1858 1859 1860
Decades: 1820s 1830s 1840s - 1850s - 1860s 1870s 1880s
Centuries: 18th century - 19th century - 20th century

1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar).

Events

January 9 - Earthquake at Fort Tejon, California with an estimated magnitude of 7.9
February 16 - The National Deaf Mute College (later renamed Gallaudet University) is established in Washington, DC becoming the first school for the advanced education of the deaf.
March 3 - France and the United Kingdom declare war on China.
March 4 - End of term for President of the United States Franklin Pierce. He is succeeded by James Buchanan.
March 5 – In London, ex-solicitor James Towsend Saward is sentenced for transportation for forging number of cheques over the years
March 6 - The Supreme Court of the United States rules in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case, driving the country further towards the American Civil War.
March 23 - Elisha Otis' first elevator is installed (at 488 Broadway, New York City)
May 10 - Indian Mutiny: In India, the Mutiny of XI Native Cavalry of the Bengal Army in Meerut, revolt against the British Army
May 11 - Indian Mutiny: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.
June 6 - Sophia of Nassau marries the future King Oscar II of Sweden-Norway.
July 15 - Second Cawnpore massacre during the Indian Mutiny
August - Calcutta University established.
September 11 - Mountain Meadows Massacre in Utah
November 30 - End of term for President of Mexico Ignacio Comonfort. He is succeeded by Félix María Zuloaga.
December 31 - Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa, Ontario as the capital of Canada

Divorce without parliamentary approval becomes legal in Britain
Speculation in US railway shares causes financial crisis in Europe
Russian serfs emancipated
The Mormons abandon Las Vegas
Founding of Hollywood
Restoration of the Mexican republic (see Mexico/History)
Discovery of La Tene culture artifacts in Switzerland by Hansli Kopp .
Philip Henry Gosse writes Omphalos text elaborating a Creationist school of thought
University of Bombay established
The Mughal Empire is finally destroyed by the British Empire.
The city walls of Vienna are demolished, allowing the construction of the Ringstraße.
Sweden lifts its ban on Danish language and Danish books in the formerly Danish provinces of Blekinge, Halland and Scania - 214 respectively 199 years after the annexion.