1846Jun, 16
The Papal conclave of 1846 elects Pope Pius IX, beginning the longest reign in the history of the papacy.
The 1846 papal conclave was triggered after death of Pope Gregory XVI on 1 June 1846. Fifty of the 62 members of the College of Cardinals assembled in the Quirinal Palace, one of the papal palaces in Rome and the seat of two earlier 19th century conclaves. The conclave began on 14 June and had to elect a pope who would not only be head of the Catholic Church but also the head of state and government of the Papal States, the extensive lands around Rome and Northern Italy which the Catholic Church governed.
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Events on 1846
- 11May
Mexican-American War
President James K. Polk asked for a Declaration of War against Mexico, starting the Mexican-American War. It is approved on May 13. - 7Jul
Conquest of California
American troops occupy Monterey and Yerba Buena, thus beginning the conquest of California. - 10Sep
Sewing machine
Elias Howe is granted a patent for the sewing machine. - 24Sep
Zachary Taylor
Mexican-American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey. - 16Oct
Ether Dome
William T. G. Morton first demonstrated ether anesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the Ether Dome.