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1807 - British board USS Chesapeake, a provocation leading to War of 1812.

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1808 - Zebulon Pike reaches his peak.

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1815 - Second abdication of Napoleon (after Waterloo).

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1816 - An English statute establishes a single gold standard for money, with silver coins reduced to status of tokens of limited legal tender.

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1837 - Birth of Paul Morphy New Orleans, greatest chess player of all time (1857-61).

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1847 - Doughnut created.

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1848 - Barnburners (anti-slavery) party nominates Martin Van Buren for President.

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1849 - Stephen C Massett opens courthouse using only piano in California.

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1851 - Fire destroys part of San Francisco.

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1856 - Birth of H Rider Haggard author (King Solomon's Mine, She).

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