Timeline May 1862

Events in May 1862 6

• 1817 – 1862 Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) Died 6 May 1862, aged 44 Thoreau was an American writer, naturalist, and philosopher best known for Walden and the essay "Civil Disobedience." He died of tuberculosis in Concord, Massachusetts.
• 1821 – 1862 Henry Thomas Buckle (1821-1862) Died 29 May 1862, aged 40 Buckle was an English historian whose unfinished History of Civilization in England argued that human societies could be studied through scientific laws. He died of typhoid fever in Damascus while traveling in the Middle East.
• 1862 Fall of New Orleans Union fleet captures the Confederacy's largest city A Union fleet under Flag Officer David Farragut ran past Confederate forts and forced the surrender of New Orleans, the South's largest city and a vital port. The capture gave the Union control of the mouth of the Mississippi River trade.
• 1862 International Exhibition opens in London World's fair showcases industry and art The 1862 International Exhibition opened in South Kensington, London, displaying industrial and artistic works from over thirty countries. It drew more than six million visitors before closing in November.
• 1862 Battle of Puebla Mexican army defeats invading French forces An outnumbered Mexican force under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the invading French army at Puebla, delaying the French intervention in Mexico. The victory is commemorated annually as Cinco de Mayo.
• 1862 Homestead Act signed into law US opens western land to settlers President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, granting 160 acres of public land to settlers who worked it for five years. The law spurred mass migration into the American West over the following decades.