The government of Lord Palmerston had lost a vote of censure by vote of 215 to 234 in the House of Commons the previous day and resigns. The new government of the Earl of Derby and his Conservatives takes office. (By John Osborne)

The New York Lunatic Asylum was completely destroyed in a fire. The facility had been opened in 1839 on Blackwell's Island in the East River and over the years became overcrowded, holding up to 1,700 patients. Despite this, on the day of the fire, no lives were lost. The Asylum was rebuilt on the same site. Blackwell's Island was later renamed Welfare Island in 1921 and then, in 1973, Roosevelt Island. (By John Osborne)

Clearly shaken by the attempt on his life two weeks before, Emperor Napoleon III makes plans in the event he does not survive until his son comes of age. He names his wife, the Empress Eugenie, as his Regent should this happen and prepares a "council of regency." (By John Osborne)

Both bridges between Boston and Cambridge had their tolls removed, effective on this day. The Charles River Bridge had been built in 1786 and the West Boston Bridge in 1793. (By John Osborne)