William Rufus King, Franklin Pierce's vice-president, dies at his home near Selma, Alabama of tuberculosis. He had held the office only for a little over six weeks. (By John Osborne)

William Rufus King, running mate of Franklin Pierce, becomes the first Vice-President of the United States sworn in on foreign soil when he takes the oath in Havana, Cuba. He is there for health reasons and a special act of Congress is required for him to take the oath in the Spanish colony. (By John Osborne)

Henry Clay of Kentucky is elected again to the U.S. Senate. He was the losing Whig candidate in the November 1844 election and is the first man to be elected to the Senate after losing a presidential election. (By John Osborne)

The U.S. Postal Service begins to offer registration of letters, for a fee of five cents. (By John Osborne)

President Pierce appointed two of the three judges who made up the panel of the new United States Court of Claims, authorized to hear cases against the U.S. Government. They were Isaac Blackford of Indiana and John James Gilchrist of New Hampshire. George P. Scarborough of Virginia was added on May 6, 1856. (By John Osborne)

Congress authorized the the circulation of twenty dollar gold pieces, "the double eagle," and one dollar gold pieces.  The first coins, designed by James Longacre, would be minted the following year and remained legal tender till 1934. (By John Osborne)

Thomas Ewing of Ohio was appointed the first secretary of the new Interior Department by President Zachary Taylor. (By John Osborne)

The United States Department of the Interior was created by act of Congress. (By John Osborne)