In Britain, the long-serving Liberal Government of Earl Russell resigns.

In the British Parliament, the Liberal Party's Reform Bill that sought to make adjustments to the franchise, failed by eleven votes, largely due to defections in their members. Earl Russell resigned as Prime Minister on this day and a Conservative Party government led by Earl Derby and Benjamin Disraeli replaced the Liberals, who had been in power throughout the years leading up to and during the American Civil War under Lord Palmerston and Earl Russell.  The Liberals returned to power in 1868 under William Gladstone. (By John Osborne)