360What happened in 1859?
7 moments from 1859 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- History · 24 November 1859
Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species
On 24 November 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, explaining how living things change over many generations through natural selection. Based on decades of observation, including on the voyage of HMS Beagle, it became one of the most influential books in the history of science.
- On this day · 31 May 1859
The Big Ben clock starts keeping time
On 31 May 1859, the Great Clock in the tower of the Palace of Westminster in London began keeping time. Its great bell, nicknamed Big Ben, first rang out in July. Famous for its accuracy, the clock is still adjusted by adding or removing old pennies on its pendulum.
- On this day · 24 June 1859
A battle inspires the founding of the Red Cross
On 24 June 1859, the Swiss businessman Henri Dunant saw thousands of wounded soldiers left without care after the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy. His book about it led to the founding of the Red Cross in 1863 and the first Geneva Convention. Dunant shared the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
- On this day · 24 November 1859
Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species
On 24 November 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, explaining how living things change over many generations through natural selection. The first printing sold out quickly. It became one of the most influential books in the history of science.
- 1859 · from The 19th century: railways, electricity and the modern world
Darwin's On the Origin of Species
- April 1859 · from The Suez Canal opens, linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea
Construction begins
- 1859 · from The 1850s: the Great Exhibition and the origin of species
First commercial US oil well; On the Origin of Species