War hero and Whig Party President William Henry Harrison elected President; party leader Henry Clay finally in the majority.

President Harrison died and Vice President John Tyler became President. He was a strict constitutionalist and thwarted his own party’s big government plans.

Texas became the 28^th State.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty settled the northern boundary dispute with Great Britain, east of the Rockies.

The University of Notre-Dame founded in South Bend, Indiana.

Ulysses .S Grant graduated from West Point, 21^st in his class.

Dark horse Democratic Presidential candidate James Polk won the election, made four promises, which included not running for a second term. He accomplished all four and died the same year.

Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith shot to death by a mob while jailed for polygamy and treason.

The United States Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, Maryland.

American journalist John L. O’Sullivan mentioned in a newspaper article that the United States has a “manifest destiny” to expand its borders from shore to shore.

The United States went to war with Mexico over Texas boundary disputes.

General Zachery Taylor defeated Mexican Army at Buena Vista though outnumbered three to one. General Winfield Scott captures Vera Cruz.

Samuel Colt sold his first revolver to the United State government.

The war with Mexico ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; the United States acquired California and New Mexico Territories. The War costed about 40,000 lives combined.

California gold rush began with discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill

Mexican War hero General Zachery Taylor inaugurated as 12^th President of the United States