March 31 - Cincinnati, Ohio has the first paid fire department in the U.S.
April 18 - Vice President William R. King dies one month after his inauguration, and President Pierce will not have a Vice President during his term in office.
April 30 - The first successful U.S. built clipper ship is launched.
May 14 - Gail Borden applies for a patent for her process for making condensed milk.
July 3 - Commodore Matthew Perry reaches Japan.
October 5 - R. M. Peale of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio is the first female college professor.