Construction of the new Navesink Light Station is completed.

The first ironclad warships—the USS Monitor and CSS Merrimack—are launched.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is published.

The Union Army wins the bloody Battle of Shiloh.

The Confederate Army scores a crushing victory at the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Otto von Bismarck becomes the Prime Minister of Prussia.

Peruvian slave traders begin removing the population of Easter Island.

The State of West Virginia is created and joins the Union.

The Gatling Gun is invented.

Anna Leonowens agrees to teach English to the children of King Mongut of Siam.

Cinco de Mayo forever becomes a day of rejoicing after Mexican forces defeat the French Army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5.

The USDA and Bureau of Internal Revenue are created.

Lewis Carroll begins work on Alice in Wonderland.

Born in 1862

Composer Claude Debussy

Writer O. Henry

Evangelist Billy Sunday

Pioneering filmmaker Auguste Lumiere

Red Cross founder Jane Delano

Artist Gustav Klimt

Titanic owner J. Bruce Ismay

Died in 1862

Former U.S. Presidents Martin Van Buren & John Tyler

Firearms pioneer Samuel Colt

Willie Lincoln (age 11)

Henry David Thoreau