Births on January 4

General Tom Thumb

Born on January 4, 1838

General Tom Thumb, American circus performer (d. 1883)

Charles Sherwood Stratton (January 4, 1838 – July 15, 1883), better known by his stage name "General Tom Thumb", was an American dwarf who achieved great fame as a performer under circus pioneer P. T. Barnum.

References

General Tom Thumb

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Events on 1838

6 Jan

Telegraphy
Alfred Vail demonstrates a telegraph system using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code).
28 Jun

Queen Victoria
Coronation of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
18 Aug

Puget Sound
The Wilkes Expedition, which would explore the Puget Sound and Antarctica, weighs anchor at Hampton Roads.
3 Sep

Frederick Douglass
Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery.
27 Oct

Extermination Order (Mormonism)
Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs issues the Extermination Order, which orders all Mormons to leave the state or be exterminated.

Births on January 4

General Tom Thumb

Born on January 4, 1838

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1838

Telegraphy

Queen Victoria

Puget Sound

Frederick Douglass

Extermination Order (Mormonism)