American Flag, 1850
Hope you’re all out enjoying friends, family and BBQ (and avoiding the heat!). In honor of the holiday, here’s a snapshot of American in 1850, approximately the year John Egan painted The Panorama of the Monumental Grandeur of the Mississippi Valley. In 1850:
- The American flag had 30 stars. Wisconsin had become the 30th state in 1848.
- California became the 31st state. The fastest way to travel from New York to California was by boat around South America, a trip that lasted nearly five months.
- After President Zachary Taylor died of gastroenteritis having served only 16 months in office, his Vice-President Millard Filmore was sworn in as the 13th President of the United States. He was the last president to be a member of the Whig party.
- The city of St. Louis had a population of approximately 40,000 people.
- Kansas City, MO was incorporated as a city, as were Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Harriet Tubman became an official conductor of the underground railroad.
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was published.
To learn more about this period of American history, check out the Missouri History Museum. Their current exhibition, The Civil War in Missouri, provides fascinating artifacts and information about Missouri before, during and after the Civil War.
If you’re looking for a fun, air-conditioned activity today, the Saint Louis Art Museum is open until 5:00 pm.
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