Events and Trends

Technology

• First use of anaesthesia in an operation, by Crawford Long

War, peace and politics

• First signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) on February 6, 1840 at Waitangi New Zealand. The treaty between the British Crown and Maori made New Zealand a British colony and is considered the founding point of modern New Zealand.
• Mexican-American War (1846 - 1848) fought between Mexico and the United States of America. The latter emerges victorious and gains undisputed control over Texas while annexing portions of Arizona, California and New Mexico.
• Wave of revolutions in Europe. Collectively known as the Revolution of 1848.

Culture and Religion

• Karl Marx writes The Communist Manifesto, first published on February 21, 1848.

Other

• Introduction of the postage stamp. The first of them is Penny Black, issued by the United Kingdom on May 1, 1840.

World Leaders

• Emperor Ferdinand I (Austria)
• Chancellor Klemens Wenzel von Metternich (Austria)
• Emperor Franz Josef (Austria-Hungary)
• King Louis-Philippe (France)
• Pope Gregory XVI
• Pope Pius IX
• Emperor Nicholas I (Russia)
• Queen Victoria (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister Lord John Russell (United Kingdom)
• President Martin Van Buren (United States)
• President William Henry Harrison (United States)
• President John Tyler (United States)
• President James Knox Polk (United States)