1820
Missouri Compromise
Henry Clay stitched together a deal that admitted Missouri as a slave state, Maine as free, and drew a line across the Louisiana Territory at 36 degrees 30…
Spanish Liberal Revolt
At Cabezas de San Juan, Colonel Rafael del Riego turned his expedition - bound for the rebel American colonies - against the king instead.
Antarctica Sighted
In January, Russian, British, and American sealers - Bellingshausen, Bransfield, and Palmer - caught separate glimpses of ice walls and dark mountains south…
Egypt Invades Sudan
Muhammad Ali's forces, seeking slaves and gold, marched south into Sudan under his son Ismail.
Florence Nightingale Born
In a Tuscan villa she was named for, a daughter was born to wealthy English tourists.
Carbonari Rise in Naples
Secret societies of liberal officers - the Carbonari, or charcoal burners - forced Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to grant a constitution.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1820?
Saeculum lists 6 events from 1820. The most significant is Missouri Compromise.
What era was 1820 part of?
1820 falls within the Industrial Age (1801-1900). Steam, empire, and the unmaking of the old order.
Which regions saw notable events in 1820?
The events from 1820 span North America, Europe, Oceania and Africa.