1816 facts for kids

The year 1816 was a time of big changes and interesting events around the world. It was a year known for unusual weather, important political shifts, and the birth of many people who would become famous later on.

Major Events of 1816

• The year 1816 was often called the "Year Without A Summer" in the northern part of the world. This happened because a huge volcano named Mount Tambora erupted in 1815, causing global cooling. This made the weather very strange, with cold temperatures and even snow in summer months, which affected farming and daily life.
• February 12 – A large fire nearly destroyed the city of St. John's in Newfoundland.
• March 23 – A new law was passed in Estonia that freed the serfs. Serfs were like farmers who were tied to the land and had to work for a landowner, similar to slaves but with some differences. This law gave them more freedom.
• May 2 – Leopold of Saxe-Coburg married Charlotte Augusta. Leopold later became the first King of the Belgians. Sadly, Charlotte died the next year.
• June 19 – The Battle of Seven Oaks took place near Winnipeg, Canada. This was a fight between two big fur-trading companies, the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, who were competing for control of the fur trade.
• July 9 – Argentina officially declared its independence from Spain, becoming a free country.
• July 17 – The French passenger ship Medusa ran aground (got stuck on the seabed) off the coast of Senegal. This tragic accident led to the loss of 140 lives.
• August 24 – The Treaty of St. Louis was signed in St. Louis, Missouri. Treaties are agreements between different groups or countries.
• December 11 – Indiana was officially admitted as the 19th state of the United States.

Famous People Born in 1816

• March 14 – William Marsh Rice, an American who later founded a university.
• April 21 – Charlotte Brontë, a famous British novelist who wrote books like Jane Eyre.
• April 22 – Charles Denis Bourbaki, a French general.
• April 25 – Eliza Daniel Stewart, an American leader in the temperance movement, which worked to reduce or stop the drinking of alcohol.
• May 24 – Emanuel Leutze, an American painter known for historical artworks.
• June 19 – William Henry Webb, an American industrialist (someone who owns or manages a large business) and philanthropist (someone who gives money to good causes).
• July 4 – Arthur de Gobineau, a French diplomat and writer.
• July 23 – Charlotte Cushman, a well-known American stage actress.
• July 31 – George Henry Thomas, an American general.
• August 4 – William Julian Albert, a U.S. Congressman.
• August 16 – Charles John Vaughan, an English scholar.
• November 17 – August Wilhelm Ambros, an Austrian composer.
• December 13 – Werner von Siemens, a German inventor and industrialist who founded the electrical and telecommunications company Siemens.

Notable Deaths in 1816

• January 27 – Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood, a British admiral (a high-ranking naval officer).
• February 6 – Maria Ludwika Rzewuska, a Polish noblewoman.
• February 22 – Adam Ferguson, a Scottish philosopher and historian.
• March 20 – Queen Maria I of Portugal, who was the Queen of Portugal and Brazil.
• June 5 – Giovanni Paisiello, an Italian composer.
• June 12 – Pierre Augereau, a Marshal of France (a very high military rank) and duke.
• July 5 – Dorothy Jordan, an Irish actress who was also the mistress of King William IV of the United Kingdom.
• July 7 – Richard Brinsley Sheridan, a famous Irish playwright (someone who writes plays).
• November 8 – Gouverneur Morris, an American statesman (a skilled and experienced political leader).
• December 15 – Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl Stanhope, an English statesman and scientist.

Images for kids

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  June 19: The Battle of Seven Oaks

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  Charlotte Brontë

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  Princess Leonilla Bariatinskaya

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  Arthur de Gobineau

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  Paul Reuter

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  Werner von Siemens

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  Maria I of Portugal

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  Francisco de Miranda

See also