The Hospital of the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled in New York City opened a private school for the disabled on Lower Second Avenue, under the auspices of the New York Society of the Ruptured and Crippled. A newer 200-bed facility opened in 1870 at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. (By John Osborne)

Massachusetts passed the nation's first state literacy requirements for voting eligibility.  Voters were required to be able to read the state constitution in English and sign their names. (By John Osborne)

The Jew's Hospital of New York City takes its first patients in its twenty-eight bed facility on West Twenty-Eighth Street.  Its first physician is Dr. Mark Blumenthal.  On April 17, 1866, the hospital will change its name by act of the state legislature to the Mount Sinai Hospital of the City of New York. (By John Osborne)

The Jew's Hospital of New York City is incorporated in New York. Its founder Sampson Simson is named as its first president. In 1866, the name of this institution will be changed to the Mount Sinai Hospital of the City of New York. (By John Osborne)

The deed of trust that will control the new Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, specifically prohibits discrimination through race, religion, or color in all its operations.  Peter Cooper serves as its first president. (By John Osborne)

Under a Pennsylvania state charter, the first institute of higher learning for African-Americans in the United States was incorporated.  It opened its doors to students in rural eastern Pennsylvania on January 1, 1857 and was called the Ashmun Institute after American Colonization Society pioneer Jehudi Ashmun.  John Pym Carter served as its first president. On April 4, 1866, the Ashmun Institute was renamed Lincoln University. (By John Osborne)