1773
May 27
| 1773 • French astronomer Charles Messier discovers the Whirlpool Galaxy, an interacting, grand design spiral galaxy located at a distance of approximately 23 million light-years in the constellation Canes Venatici. |
1762
Jan 1
| 1762 • Catherine II becomes empress of Russia upon the deposition of her husband Peter III. The incipient Russo-Prussian alliance falls apart, but Russia does not rejoin the war. |
1820
Age: 46y
1850
Jun 3
Age: 77y
| 1850 • Harriet Tubman becomes an official conductor of the Underground Railroad. |