Dominican rebels led by Juan Pablo Duarte declare independence from Haitian rule, founding the Dominican Republic after 22 years of occupation.

Samuel Morse sent the first long-distance telegraph message from Washington to Baltimore, tapping out 'What hath God wrought' in his own code.

Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher who declared 'God is dead' and reshaped Western thought, was born in Röcken, Prussia.

James K. Polk narrowly wins the U.S. presidency on an expansionist platform, setting the stage for the Mexican-American War and westward growth.