Historedia
Person

James Buchanan

Events
9
Episodes
20
Years
1846–1859

Every event in Historedia whose sources name James Buchanan, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Oregon Treaty sets the 49th parallel boundary

    1846

    Role: U.S. Negotiator

    1. June 15–18, 1846 · Washington, D.C.Signing of the Oregon Treaty

      The Oregon Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on June 15, 1846, ending joint occupation and establishing the 49th parallel as the boundary.

  2. Ostend Manifesto drafted

    1854

    Role: U.S. Minister to Britain (1853–1856)

    1. 1854 · United StatesPolitical Backlash

      The manifesto was denounced in the North and Europe, causing Pierce to avoid acknowledging it in his State of the Union address.

    2. October 1854 · Document sent to Washington; drafted in Ostend, Belgium, and prepared at Aachen, PrussiaManifesto Content

      The document described the rationale for purchasing Cuba from Spain and declared the U.S. justified in wresting the island if Spain refused to sell.

    3. October 9–11, 1854 · Ostend, BelgiumMeeting in Ostend

      Three U.S. diplomats met in Ostend, Belgium, from October 9–11, 1854, to draft the Ostend Manifesto regarding Cuba.

  3. Mormon missionaries abandon the Las Vegas mission

    1855–1857

    Role: US President

    1. June 1855 · Las Vegas SpringsFort Establishment

      William Bringhurst led missionaries to Las Vegas Springs in 1855 to build the first permanent structure in the area.

    2. 1857 · Las VegasMission Abandonment

      The Mormon mission fort at Las Vegas was abandoned in 1857 during the Utah War.

  4. United States presidential election of 1856

    1856

    Role: Democratic Candidate

    1. June 1856 · Convention SiteDemocratic Nomination

      Buchanan defeated Pierce at the 1856 Democratic National Convention, which met in June 1856 and produced a platform reflecting his views.

    2. June 17-19, 1856 · Musical Fund Hall, PhiladelphiaRepublican Nomination

      The first Republican National Convention nominated Frémont, an explorer and military officer, as the party's first presidential candidate.

    3. November 4, 1856 · National ElectionGeneral Election

      Buchanan won the popular vote with 1,836,072 votes, defeating Frémont who received 1,342,345 votes on November 4, 1856.

  5. Dred Scott v. Sandford decided by the U.S. Supreme Court

    1857

    Role: President-elect

    1. March 6, 1857 · Supreme Court BuildingSupreme Court Decision

      The Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, denying his freedom and declaring Black people non-citizens.

  6. James Buchanan inaugurated 15th President of the United States

    1857

    Role: 15th President of the United States

    1. March 4, 1857 · East Portico of the United States CapitolInauguration of James Buchanan

      James Buchanan was sworn in as the 15th President on March 4, 1857, at the U.S. Capitol, marking the start of his term.

    2. March 4, 1857 · United States CapitolInaugural Address

      Buchanan delivered a lengthy address supporting the Kansas-Nebraska Act and popular sovereignty regarding the territorial question of slavery.

  7. Utah Expedition departs Fort Leavenworth, beginning the Utah War

    1857

    Role: President of the United States

    1. 18 July 1857 · Fort Leavenworth, KansasUtah Expedition Departure

      The first soldiers of the Utah Expedition left Fort Leavenworth on 18 July 1857, beginning the armed confrontation with Mormon settlers.

  8. The first transatlantic telegraph cable is completed and fails

    1858

    Role: President of the United States

    1. 5 August 1858 · Heart's ContentCable Landing at Heart's Content

      The first transatlantic cable was landed at Heart's Content, connecting to Valentia Island.

    2. 16 August 1858 · Valentia IslandFirst Official Transcontinental Telegram

      Queen Victoria sent a Morse code message to President James Buchanan, marking the first official telegram between continents.

    3. 26 August 1858 · Great Barrington, MassachusettsCyrus Field's Homecoming

      Field returned to Great Barrington, Massachusetts, celebrated as the parent of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable scheme.

    4. September–October 1858 · Valentia IslandCable Failure in September 1858

      The cable failed due to insulation deterioration, ending its short-lived operation.

  9. U.S. Paraguay expedition departs under Shubrick

    1858–1859

    Role: President of the United States

    1. October 1858 · South American watersShubrick Sails to South America

      Commodore Shubrick sailed in October 1858 to command the fleet supporting diplomatic efforts regarding the Water Witch incident.

    2. December 1858 · Montevideo, UruguayUnits Arrive in Montevideo

      Expedition units began arriving in Montevideo, Uruguay, in December 1858.

    3. 24 January 1859 – 13 February 1859 · AsunciónUSS Fulton Arrives in Asunción

      USS Fulton arrived at the Paraguayan capital in January 1859.

Sources

  1. Oregon boundary dispute Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-01
  2. James Buchanan Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20
  3. Ostend Manifesto Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-29
  4. Utah War Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20
  5. 1856 United States presidential election Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20
  6. Dred Scott v. Sandford Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
  7. Roger B. Taney Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-05
  8. Inauguration of James Buchanan Wikipedia, revision of 2026-06-21
  9. Transatlantic telegraph cable Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-15
  10. Paraguay expedition Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-07