Ash Wednesday begins the period of Lent for 1856.

The first Sunday in Lent was celebrated.

First Sunday in Advent was celebrated.

Movable festival of Pentecost was celebrated.

Movable festival of Easter Sunday celebrated.

The Suffolk Bank announced to the Boston banks that its "foreign money" desk would close on November 30, 1858. Brought about by competition from the newly formed Bank of Mutual Redemption, this ended the "Suffolk Banking System" which had operated since 1824 for the free redemption of banking bills throughout New England. (By John Osborne)

The American-born British philanthropist George Peabody sent word from London that he was donating a further $200,000 to the institute that bears his name in Baltimore. Newspapers claimed that his total endowment to the Institute now had reached half a million dollars. (By John Osborne)

Just before nine o'clock in the evening, the first overland mail from California arrived in St. Louis from San Francisco, from where it had left almost twenty-five days before. (By John Osborne)

A large military magazine exploded in the Cuban capital city of Havana causing heavy loss of life and significant damage to the city's sugar factories and its gas-works. Twenty-eight were killed and 105 injured. (By John Osborne)

With the city in the midst of a yellow fever epidemic, the mayor of Charleston declared a day of public fasting.  The effect is not recorded. (By John Osborne)