Throughout the Second Schleswig War, Danish land troops struggled against the German Federation forces. After a bombardment, Prussian units stormed Dybbøl, the last Danish strong point in disputed Schleswig, despite the heroic counter-attack of the Eight Danish Brigade that enabled an orderly retreat.  The day is commemorated in modern Denmark today in recognition of their efforts.  Peace talks began soon after. (By John Osborne) 

The Second Schleswig War saw the Danish Navy control the North Sea.  An Austrian squadron was organised and appeared in the English Channel in early May. A smaller Danish squadron met the Austrians, and their Prussian allies off the British island of Heligoland in the afternoon and after a sharp action, forced them to withdraw. The six-month war, however, ended in defeat for the Danes in July 1864.  (By John Osborne)

The Second Schleswig War saw the Danish Navy, then superior to that of the German Federation, initiate a blockade of the Prussian Baltic coast.  Prussian naval units challenged the blockade in an encounter off Prussia's Jasmund Peninsula.  This was the Prussian Navy's first ever engagement and ended with a tactical defeat as the Danes easily held the blockade.  Casualties were light on both sides and no vessels were sunk. (By John Osborne)  

The Second Schleswig War between Denmark and the German Federation over the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein began with an advance of German and Austrian troops across the River Eider.  The war lasted until July when the outmanned Danes were forced to sue for terms and saw the two provinces incorporated into northern Germany, thereby reducing Denmark by more than a third in both territory and population.  (By John Osborne)  

Stephen Collins Foster, perhaps America's most famous popular song writer at the time, had died the week before in New York City's Bellevue Hospital. The train transporting his remain to his Pittsburgh home for burial derailed in central Pennsylvania and threw several cars down an embankment.  The coffin was undamaged in the incident and his funeral service was held in Pittsburgh's Trinity Episcopal Church, four days later.  (By John Osborne)