1838Feb, 17
Weenen massacre: Hundreds of Voortrekkers along the Blaukraans River, Natal are killed by Zulus.
The Weenen massacre (Afrikaans: Bloukransmoorde) was the massacre of Khoikhoi, Basuto and Voortrekkers by the Zulu Kingdom on 17 February 1838. The massacres occurred at Doringkop, Bloukrans River, Moordspruit, Rensburgspruit and other sites around the present day town of Weenen in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province.
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Events on 1838
- 6Jan
Telegraphy
Alfred Vail demonstrates a telegraph system using dots and dashes (this is the forerunner of Morse code). - 28Jun
Queen Victoria
Coronation of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. - 18Aug
Puget Sound
The Wilkes Expedition, which would explore the Puget Sound and Antarctica, weighs anchor at Hampton Roads. - 3Sep
Frederick Douglass
Future abolitionist Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery. - 27Oct
Extermination Order (Mormonism)
Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs issues the Extermination Order, which orders all Mormons to leave the state or be exterminated.