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.
1838Jan, 4
General Tom Thumb
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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.