1857
- 6 March. Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court. After being brought to free territory by his owner, Scott sued for his freedom, but the court ruled that he had never ceased to be a slave, denied that he was a citizen, and denied him the right to sue.
- 23 March. First elevator installed by Elisha P. Otis in New York City.
- 24 August. Panic of 1857 begins when the New York branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company fails, preceding a number of other business failures.
- 11 September. On September 7, the Fancher party, a wagon train of 120 emigrants traveling to Santa Fe, is attacked by Piutes or members of the LDS church (Mormons) dressed as Piutes. On Friday morning, September 11, LDS leader John D. Lee persuades them to disarm and accept the protection of the Mormon militia. All but 17 young children are shot in what has become known as the Mountain Meadows massacre. Although he claims to be a scapegoat for others in the organization, Lee is later executed for the crime.
- President Buchanan asks that Kansas be admitted as a slave state, a request rejected.
- Lincoln is nominated to oppose Stephen Douglas for the Senate; Lincoln-Douglas debates
- 16 October. John Brown leads an armed group of 21 to seize the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, is captured, and is executed.
- Georgia passes a law forbidding owners from manumitting slaves in their wills.
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