Birthdays
Benjamin Franklin Brooke
Turns 41 on this date
Samuel Maxwell Harrington
Turns 58 on this date
Isaac McIIvaine
Turns 62 on this date
William Edward Miller
Turns 25 on this date
John Hovey Rice
Turns 45 on this date
Abram Joseph Ryan
Turns 23 on this date
William Holland Thomas
Turns 56 on this date
Events
| Science/Technology | "Peep Show" machine patented in Cincinnati, Ohio | 02/05/1861 |
| Campaigns/Elections | In Albany, the combined houses of the New York Legislature elect Ira Harris to the U. S. Senate | 02/05/1861 |
| Crime/Disasters | In England, fire damages Blenheim Palace and destroys a priceless Rubens masterpiece | 02/05/1861 |
| US/the World | Queen Victoria's speech opening Parliament includes British concern over the United States situation | 02/05/1861 |
| Lawmaking/Litigating | The second session of the 36th Congress is sitting in Washington, DC |
12/04/1860 to 03/02/1861 |
| Lawmaking/Litigating | The Washington Peace Conference is meeting at Willard's Hotel in Washington DC |
02/04/1861 to 02/27/1861 |
Documents
| Newspaper | Richmond (VA) Dispatch, “Iron-Plated Ships,” February 5, 1861 | 02/05/1861 |