March 3, 1861★★★★★
Emancipation of the serfs in Russia
Tsar Alexander II issues the emancipation manifesto, freeing more than 20 million serfs across the Russian Empire.
PoliticsEconomy· Russia
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Events this year
March 17, 1861★★★★★
Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy
Victor Emmanuel II is proclaimed King of Italy, a decisive step in Italian unification.
Politics· Italy
April 12, 1861 – 1865★★★★★
American Civil War
War between the Union and the seceding Confederate states, centred on slavery, ending in Union victory and the abolition of slavery.
War· United States
April 12, 1861 – April 13, 1861★★★★★
Battle of Fort Sumter
Confederate forces bombard Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, opening the American Civil War.
War· United States
Ongoing
November 3, 1839 – 1876★★★★★
Tanzimat reforms begin
The Edict of Gülhane opens the Tanzimat, a series of reforms modernising Ottoman administration, law and the army.
Politics· Turkey
1845 – 1872★★★★★
The New Zealand Wars
A series of armed conflicts between the colonial government and Māori iwi, chiefly over land and sovereignty, which led to large confiscations of Māori land.
War· New Zealand, United Kingdom
1850 – 1864★★★★★
Taiping Rebellion
Hong Xiuquan's movement founds the 'Taiping Heavenly Kingdom'; the ensuing civil war causes tens of millions of deaths.
WarReligionRevolution· China
1858 – 1947★★★★★
Beginning of the British Raj
After the 1857 rebellion, the Government of India Act transfers rule from the East India Company to the British Crown; the Mughal Empire formally ends.
Politics· India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, United Kingdom