May 6 - A patent is granted to John Forrie of New Orleans, Louisiana for a mechanical refrigerating machine.
May 31 - The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution goes into effect and states the number of senators and rules governing vacancies.
June 2 - The sale and manufacturing of intoxicating beverages is prohibited in Maine.
July 23 - The Sioux Indians and the U.S. government sign the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux.
August 8 - Calvin Page of Boston, Massachusetts is returned his two daughters, who had been held hostage by the Pai Ute Indians in the Dakotas for twelve years.
August 10 - The president and the vice-president of the National Capital Building and Loan Association of North America are arrested by U.S. Post Office authorities for swindling.
September 18 - The first issue of the New York Daily News is published and later becomes the New York Times.
October 8 - The Hudson Railroad opens and connects New York City and Albany, New York.
November 9 - The telescope is patented by Alvan Clark of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
November 14 - Herman Melville's book Moby Dick is published.
November 16 - The first postage stamps depicting the American eagle are sold.
December 24 - Much of the Library of Congress is destroyed in a fire.
