First pasteurisation test completed by Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard
Lincoln issues first legal US paper money (Greenbacks)
American Civil War begins
First tram service in Europe starts in Birkenhead
Charles Darwin publishes 'The Origin of Species'
Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge opened at Saltash giving rail link between Devon and Cornwall
Work started on building the Suez canal (opened 17 Nov 1869)
Peaceful picketing legalised in Britain
'The great stink' - smell of the River Thames forced Parliament to stop work
Royal Opera House opens in Covent Garden, London
Work starts on the laying of the Transatlantic cable
Victoria Cross created by Royal Warrant, backdated to 1854 to recognise acts during the Crimean War (first award ceremony 26 June 1857)
End of Crimean War
Battle of Balaklava in Crimea (charge of the Light Brigade)
Britain declares war on Russia (Crimean War)
Cigarettes introduced into Britain
Vaccination against smallpox made compulsory in Britain
Tasmania ceases to be a convict settlement
Wells Fargo established in USA
Great exhibition of the works of industry of all nations ('Crystal Palace' exhibition) opened in Hyde Park
Gold discovered in Australia
Florin (2 shilling coin) introduced as the first step to decimalisation - which finally occurred in 1971!
Waterloo railway station in London opens
Gold found at Sutter's Mill, California - starts the California gold rush
First commercial production of chewing gum
US Mormons make Salt Lake City their centre
An anesthetic used for the first time in England (James Simpson used ether to numb the pain of labour)
The sewing machine is patented by Elias Howe
The rubber band patented by Stephen Perry
Tarmac laid for first time (in Nottingham)
YMCA founded in London by Sir George Williams
Brunel's 'Great Britain' launched
The Great Hall of Euston station opened in London
First Christmas card in England
Income Tax reintroduced in Britain