page_title: 1849 in the United States
section_title: Events
hierarchical_section_title: 1849 in the United States / Events
caption_attribution_description: English: Zachary Taylor, 24 Nov 1784 - 9 Jul 1850. After his victories in Palo Alto and Monterrey México, Taylor was elected president of the USA. Español: Zachary Taylor, 24 Nov 1784 - 9 Jul 1850. Despues de sus victorias en Palo Alto y Monterrey, México, Taylor fue electo presidente de los Estados Unidos.
context_page_description: Events from the year 1849 in the United States.
context_section_description: January 23 – Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. by the Medical Institute of Geneva, New York, thus becoming the United States' first woman doctor.
  February 14 – In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first sitting President of the United States to have his photograph taken.
  February 28 – Regular steamboat service from the west to the east coast of the United States begins with the arrival of the SS California in San Francisco Bay. The California leaves New York Harbor on October 6, 1848, rounds Cape Horn at the tip of South America, and arrives at San Francisco, California after the 4-month-21-day journey.
  March 3
  Minnesota Territory is established.
  The United States Department of the Interior is established.
  The U.S. Congress passes the Gold Coinage Act allowing the minting of gold coins.
  March 4 – Zachary Taylor becomes the 12th President of the United States, but refuses to be sworn in office on a Sabbath (Sunday). Urban legend holds that David Rice Atchison, President pro tempore of the United States Senate was President de jure for a single day.
  March 5 – President Zachary Taylor is sworn into office.
  May 3 – The Mississippi River levee at Sauvé's Crevasse breaks, flooding much of New Orleans, Louisiana.
  May 20 – Astor Place Riot occurs in Manhattan.
  June 6 – Fort Worth, Texas is founded.
  September 1 – The first segment of the Pennsylvania Railroad, from Lewistown, Pennsylvania to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, opens for service.
  November – Austin College receives a charter in Huntsville.
  November 13 – The Constitution of California is ratified by the electorate.
  Undated – Pfizer is founded by cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles F. Erhart in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as a manufacturer of fine chemicals.
  1849; Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War.
  Continuing 
  California Gold Rush (January 24, 1848–1855)
caption: March 4: Zachary Taylor becomes President
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