1861 Facts for Kids

The year 1861 was a regular year that started on a Tuesday. It was part of the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar most of the world uses today. Many important things happened around the world in 1861, including the start of a major war and the discovery of an ancient bird.

Major Events of 1861
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Major Events of 1861

The American Civil War Begins

The American Civil War started in 1861. This was a big conflict in the United States between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy). It was mainly about slavery and states' rights. The war lasted for four years and had a huge impact on American history.

Benito Juárez Takes Mexico City

On January 1, Benito Juárez took control of Mexico City. He was an important leader who later became the President of Mexico. His actions in 1861 were a key part of Mexico's political changes at the time.

End of the First Taranaki War

In New Zealand, the First Taranaki War ended on March 19. This was a conflict between the Māori people and the British settlers over land. The war showed the struggles over land ownership during that period.

First Ascent of Weisshorn

On August 19, the Weisshorn mountain was climbed for the very first time. The Weisshorn is the fifth highest mountain in the Alps, a famous mountain range in Europe. Climbing such a high peak was a big achievement for mountaineers back then.

Discovery of Archaeopteryx

In September, the first complete remains of Archaeopteryx were found in Germany. Archaeopteryx is a very important fossil because it shows features of both birds and dinosaurs. This discovery helped scientists understand how birds evolved.