Click on any of the News, Events, or Discoveries buttons above to see historical things that happened during
Martha Cummings's life. These are only some of the major events that affected the life and times of
Martha, her family, and friends. For example, Martha is 5 years old when Second Seminole Indian War begins.
| Age | Date | Event |
|---|
| 9 |
1839 |
Goodyear invents vulcanized rubber, opening the door for tires and other rubber products. |
| 14 |
1844 |
The first telegraph message is sent by Morse, who later invents the Mores Code |
| 23 |
1853 |
The process of creating steel is invented by Besermer in Britain and Kelly in the U.S. |
| 26 |
1856 |
The first Neanderthal fossils are found near Germany |
| 29 |
1859 |
Charles Darwin publishes "Origin of Species" and begins the evolution theory. |
| 35 |
1865 |
Mendel publishes his papers on genetics and introduces the concept to the public. |
| 39 |
1869 |
Cro-magnon Man fossils are found in France |
| 47 |
1877 |
Edison invents the phonograph permitting music and voices to be recorded and replayed. |
| 49 |
1879 |
Edison invents the electric light bulb. |
| 59 |
1889 |
The first calculating machine is invented and uses punch cards |
| 65 |
1895 |
Wireless telegraph and the "antenna" are invented but it covers a very short distance. |
| 67 |
1897 |
First ship to shore message is sent using an improved form of wireless telegraph |
| 70 |
1900 |
The cause of yellow fever is discovered. It is proven that the fever is spread by mosquitoes. This rallies an effort to provide better mosquito control. |
| 70 |
1900 |
Freud publishes his book "The Interpretation of Dreams" |
| 71 |
1901 |
First transatlantic wireless telegraph is sent. |
| 72 |
1902 |
The first Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil is discovered. |
| 73 |
1903 |
Wright Brothers complete the first successful flight with an airplane at Kitty Hawk |
| Age | Date | Event |
|---|
| 4 |
1834 |
July 9 - The S.S. John Randolph, the first successful iron steamship, is launched in Savannah |
| 31 |
1861 |
NEWS HEADLINES: American Civil war begins at Ft. Sumter, located in Charleston Harbor, VA. |
| 32 |
1862 |
NEWS HEADLINES: May 20, 1862 the US government passes the Homestead Act to provide cheap land for settlement of lower Southeast and West. |
| 52 |
1882 |
NEWS HEADLINES: Edison creates the first large power station in New York City, making it the first place in America to have electricity. |
| 55 |
1885 |
NEWS HEADLINES: Eastman invents the box camera. For the first time photography becomes affordable for the average citizen. |
| Age | Date | Event |
|---|
| 5 |
1835 |
Second Seminole Indian War begins. |
| 7 |
1837 |
The trickery used to capture Seminole Indian Chief Osceola (Assi Yohola) creates a public uproar and U.S. General Jesup is publicly condemned. |
| 10 |
1840 |
Oregon Trail is established |
| 12 |
1842 |
Second Seminole Indian War ends and thousands of Seminole Indians are forced to move west of the Mississippi. |
| 25 |
1855 |
Third Seminole Indian War begins. It ends three years later when Chief Billy Bowlegs and his band are forced to move from Florida. |
| 30 |
1860 |
Presidential election puts Abraham Lincoln in office. The campaign has heated the issues regarding slavery in the south. |
| 32 |
1862 |
May 20, 1862 the US government passes the Homestead Act to provide cheap land for settlement of lower Southeast and West. |
| 33 |
1863 |
Abraham Lincoln issues the "Emancipation Proclamation" freeing slaves. |
| 35 |
1865 |
American Civil war ends with General Lee's surrender at Appomattox, VA. Reconstruction begins in the "old South" |
| 38 |
1868 |
An eight-hour work day is established for federal employees. |
| 45 |
1875 |
Tennessee enacts Jim Crow law. |
| 46 |
1876 |
The National League of Baseball is founded |
| Age | Date | Event |
|---|
| 3 |
1833 |
Santa Anna is elected President of Mexico |
