Deaths on May 8

Jan Roothaan, Dutch priest, 21st Superior General of the Society of Jesus (b. 1785)

Jan Philipp Roothaan (23 November 1785 – 8 May 1853) was a Dutch Jesuit, elected twenty-first Superior-General of the Society of Jesus.

4 Jan

Twelve Years a Slave
After having been kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South, Solomon Northup regains his freedom; his memoir Twelve Years a Slave later becomes a national bestseller.
19 Jan

Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il trovatore receives its premiere performance in Rome.
14 Jul

Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations
Opening of the first major US world's fair, the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City.
4 Oct

Crimean War
The Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire.
30 Nov

Battle of Sinop
Crimean War: Battle of Sinop: The Imperial Russian Navy under Pavel Nakhimov destroys the Ottoman fleet under Osman Pasha at Sinop, a sea port in northern Turkey.