On March 3rd of this year Florida became a state.

The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland was founded.

Scientific American began publication. I think it is correct to say that up until about twenty years ago, Scientific American was one of the finest English language magazines ever published, and certainly it was the absolute best at what it did - present real science to the intelligent lay person. In recent years this magazine has suffered along with all print media from the competition of the internet.

In Scotland, Robert Thomson invented the pneumatic tyre, thus making an automobile ride less of a spine crushing experience, and reducing the need to constantly tighten bolts and replace fractured struts.

On the cultural scene, Alexander Dumas published "The Count of Monte Cristo" thus helping to create an early market for adventure stories that would eventually make the transition into one of the most popular genres for movies and television.