The Years 1810 to 1819 Unveiled: Intriguing Facts and Landmark Events

This quick read is a collection of fun facts, trivia, and historical events from the years 1810 to 1819. Discover the decade’s top news stories, most influential people, notable inventions, retail prices, and much more.

1. In 1810, Frederick Koenig invented the high-speed, steam-powered printing press, and Peter Durand invented the tin can. Additionally, the first state fair was held in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
2. In 1811, an unsuccessful slave rebellion took place in present-day Louisiana.
3. In 1811, the words “aluminum,” “antislavery,” “boxing glove,” “crop rotation,” “double-barrel,” “fluid ounce,” “gold standard,” “hematology,” "interestingly," “mechanical drawing,” “nearsightedness,” “polarize,” “quotable,” “respiratory system,” “tourism,” “vinaigrette,” and “White House” all appeared in print for the first time.
4. The War of 1812 (1812 to 1815) was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain “over British violations of U.S. maritime rights." It ended with the Treaty of Ghent.
5. In 1812, the words “body snatcher,” “break bread,” “chloride,” “coffee shop,” “congressional district,” “featherweight,” “Irish setter,” “jailhouse,” “no-nothing,” “lower-class,” “magnesium,” “mailbag,” “mousy,” “self-defeating,” “Tennessean,” “tomfoolery,” “turkey shoot,” and “washbasin” all appeared in print for the first time.
6. In 1813, the Philharmonic Society, later known as the Royal Philharmonic Society, was founded in London. In addition, Tabitha Babbitt invented the first circular saw.
7. In 1814, George Stephenson invented the steam locomotive, Joseph Nicéphore invented photography, and Joseph von Fraunhofer invented the spectroscope.
8. In 1814, the words “adult education,” “a race against time,” “bicarbonate of soda,” “bloodbath,” “grapefruit,” “green pepper,” “home brew,” “iodine,” “meet one’s maker,” “morning glory,” "Napoleon," “personnel,” “profiteering,” “pumpkin seed,” “sermonette,” “side effect,” “sweet pepper,” and “upper class” all appeared in print for the first time.
9. In 1815, Humphry Davy invented the miner’s lamp, and the Congress of Vienna “redrew the political map of Europe.”
10. In 1816, Indiana became a U.S. state, and the first cranberry crop in the United States was harvested in Massachusetts.
11. In 1817, Mississippi became a U.S. state, and the University of Michigan was founded.
12. In 1817, the words “abnormal,” “ammonia water,” “bothersome,” “carpe diem,” “Chinese puzzle,” “circular saw,” “demonize,” “dry-clean,” “firewater,” “medieval,” “pianist,” “Southerner,” “statistic,” “subtopic,” “sugar beet,” “toilet soap,” and “word-of-mouth” all appeared in print for the first time.
13. In 1818, Illinois became a U.S. state, and the United States-Canada border was established at the 49th parallel.
14. In 1819, Samuel Fahnestock invented the soda fountain, and René Laënnec invented the stethoscope. Additionally, Alabama became a U.S. state, and the University of Virginia was founded.
15. 20 pounds of venison: About 67 cents
16. 100 apple trees: Around $6.67
17. 100 fresh shad: About $4.44
18. 100 pounds of hay: Around 40 cents
19. Four bushels of rye: About $2.67
20. Nine pounds of beef: Around 60 cents
21. One-half bushel of beans: About 53 cents
22. One-half bushel of corn: Around 24 cents
23. One bushel of buckwheat: About 40 cents
24. One bushel of oats: Around 33 cents
25. One bushel of potatoes: About 50 cents
26. One bushel of salt: Around $2.40
27. One bushel of wheat: About $1.33
28. One dozen pigeons: Around 13 cents
29. One pound of butter: About 13 cents
30. One pound of tobacco: Around 13 cents
31. One quart of soap: About seven cents
32. Six bushels of turnips: Around $1.20
33. Six pounds of pork: About 40 cents
34. Three and one-half pounds of cheese: Around 47 cents
35. Three bushels of ashes: About 27 cents
36. Three deerskins: Around $3.47
37. Three pounds of flax: About 40 cents
38. Two pounds of bread: Around 13 cents
39. Two yards of tow cloth: About 80 cents

References:

1. https://listverse.com/2015/04/29/10-of-the-most-bizarre-accounts-from-the-19th-century/
2. https://www.foodreference.com/html/html/yearonlytimeline1800-1899.html
3. https://www.quora.com/What-was-seen-as-entertainment-in-the-1800s-America
4. https://theinventors.org/library/weekly/aa111100a.htm
5. https://www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/education/childrengame.htm
6. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-christmas/
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1800s_in_the_United_States
8. http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/prices-for-1860-1872-1878-and-1882-groceries-provisions-dry-goods-more/
9. https://www.biographyonline.net/people/famous/nineteenth-century.html
10. https://www.history.com/articles/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-old-west
11. https://www.infoplease.com/us/states/states-by-order-of-entry-into-the-union
12. https://www.infoplease.com/us/education/major-universities-founded-1900

Disclaimer: In writing and editing this article, Gregory DeVictor has made every effort to ensure historical accuracy and not to mislead his audience. In addition, the contents of this article, including text, graphics, and captions, are for general informational purposes only.

© 2026 Gregory DeVictor