The First Geneva Convention is signed by 12 nations
The 1864 Geneva Convention was the world’s first codified international treaty that covered the sick and wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Europe
The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground, opens
The world’s first underground railway, it opened in January 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon in London using gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives.
Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, granting serfs the full rights of free citizens
The Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia was the first and most important of the liberal reforms enacted during the reign of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. he reform effectively abolished serfdom throughout the Russian Empire.
Gaston Planté invents the lead acid battery, the first rechargeable battery
Planté’s first model consisted of two lead sheets separated by rubber strips and rolled into a spiral. His batteries were first used to power the lights in train carriages while stopped at a station.
Antonio Torres of Spain invents the modern classic guitar
The form of the modern classical guitar is credited to Spanish guitar maker Antonio Torres circa 1850. Torres increased the size of the guitar body, altered its proportions, and invented the “fan” top bracing pattern.
William Sturgeon invents the electromagnet
British scientist William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet in 1824. His first electromagnet was a horseshoe-shaped piece of iron that was wrapped with about 18 turns of bare copper wire.
German inventor Karl von Drais invents the bicycle
In 1817, Drais debuted a two-wheeled vehicle, known by many names throughout Europe, including Draisienne, dandy horse and hobby horse.
Norway adopts its Constitution
Norway’s Constitution is the second oldest in the world still in continuous force after the United States Constitution.
Chilpancingo congress declares Mexico independent of Spain
On November 6, the deputies to the Congress signed the first legal document, known as the Acta Solemne de la Declaración de Independencia de la América Septentrional, in which the separation of the New Spain with respect to the Spanish rule is proclaimed.
Modern football, or soccer, begins to become officially codified for the first time
The codification of soccer began in the public schools of Britain at the beginning of the 19th century. Within the private school system “football” was a game in which the hands were used during periods of play and grappling allowed, but otherwise, the modern shape of soccer was being formed.