| Crime/Disasters |
|
Railroad snowplow clearing tracks derails in Upstate New York injuring several workers |
| Science/Technology |
|
First day of Winter |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
New Orleans celebrates the secession of South Carolina |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
Speaker of the U.S. House refuses resignations of the South Carolina congressional delegation |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
In Memphis, U.S. Senator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee is hanged in effigy |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
Discovery in Washington D.C. of the plundering of more than $700,000 in Indian Trust Funds |
| Carlisle/Dickinson |
|
In Pennsylvania, mass Union meeting at the Carlisle courthouse resolves that secession is illegal |
| US/the World |
|
Mexican liberals recapture Mexico City |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
In New York City, William H. Seward says in a speech that disunion will be avoided |
| Campaigns/Elections |
|
Senator Robert A. Toombs recommends that his Georgia constituents vote for secession |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
Hundred foot flagpole flying the South Carolina flag vandalized in Petersburg, Virginia |
| Campaigns/Elections |
|
In New Orleans, a massive meeting endorses candidates for the upcoming secession convention |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
Holiday celebrations get out of hand at a Boston hotel as young guests and employees brawl |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
In Wisconsin, a Christmas morning fire destroys a Milwaukee factory |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
William H. Russell arrested in New York City for plundering more than $800,000 in Indian Trust Funds |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
South Carolina's commissioners to the United States arrive and take up residence in Washington |
| Battles/Soldiers |
|
Under cover of night in Charleston Harbor, Major Anderson consolidates his forces at Fort Sumter |
| Campaigns/Elections |
|
Alabama's commissioner to Kentucky warns Governor Magoffin of race war under Republican rule |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
In the United States Senate, Albert G. Brown of Mississippi insists on the definition of slaves as property |
| Battles/Soldiers |
|
Commander of the U.S. Revenue cutter in Charleston Harbor turns his vessel over to South Carolina |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
In Pennsylvania, a large public meeting in Pittsburgh resolves to block transfers of cannon to the South |
| Battles/Soldiers |
|
Secretary of War Floyd demands that the Cabinet permit withdrawal of federal forces from Charleston |
| Battles/Soldiers |
|
South Carolina militia occupy Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney in Charleston Harbor |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
South Carolina's commissioners to the United States present their credentials and explain their mission |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
South Carolina seizes the U.S. Customs House and the U.S. Post Office buildings in Charleston |
| Crime/Disasters |
|
At Atchison, the Kansas Relief Committee reports on its efforts to aid the drought-stricken territory |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
Postmaster-General Holt threatens action over South Carolina's seizure of U.S. Post Office accounts |
| Science/Technology |
|
On the River Thames, the Royal Navy launches the first iron-hulled ocean-going armored steam frigate |
| Lawmaking/Litigating |
|
Secretary of War John B. Floyd of Virginia resigns and is replaced by Postmaster-General Joseph Holt |
| Battles/Soldiers |
|
In Charleston, South Carolina militia seize the federal arsenal and begin issuing arms and ammunition |
