Modern Era
Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806): Crossing a Continent
The Corps of Discovery reached the Pacific and returned, mapping the Missouri and Columbia routes and recording hundreds of plants, animals and Native communities.
Era · c. 1800 – 1945
Modern Era
Industry, science and global conflict: the century and a half that built the modern world.
Modern Era
Penydarren Locomotive (1804): Trevithick's First Railway Run
The first recorded journey by a steam locomotive on rails proved that steam traction could work, though the brittle tramplates could not bear the engine's weight.
Modern Era
Sokoto Caliphate (1804): Usman dan Fodio's Fulani Jihad
The Hausa kingdoms were overthrown and replaced by the Sokoto Caliphate, a federation of emirates that lasted until the British conquest of 1903.
Modern Era
Battle of Trafalgar (1805): Nelson's Victory and Death at Sea
Decisive British victory; the Franco-Spanish fleet lost 22 ships and Britain secured naval supremacy for a century.
Modern Era
Battle of Austerlitz (1805): Napoleon's Greatest Victory
Decisive French victory; Austria made peace at Pressburg and the Third Coalition collapsed.
Modern Era
Continental System (1806): Napoleon's Blockade of Britain
Britain was hurt but not defeated; enforcing the blockade drew Napoleon into Portugal, Spain and Russia and helped bring about his fall.
Modern Era
Battle of Jena-Auerstedt (1806): Prussia's Sudden Collapse
Decisive French victories; the Prussian army disintegrated and Napoleon entered Berlin on 27 October 1806.
Modern Era
Vellore Mutiny (1806): The Sepoy Revolt in South India
The rising was crushed within hours, but the dress regulations were withdrawn and the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Madras were recalled.
Modern Era
Battle of Eylau (1807): Napoleon's Bloody Snowbound Stalemate
Indecisive; the Russians withdrew after the battle, leaving the French the field but with very heavy losses on both sides.
Modern Era
Treaties of Tilsit (1807): Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I
France and Russia became allies, Prussia lost about half its territory, and Napoleon's power in Europe reached its height.
Modern Era
Fulton's Clermont (1807): First Commercial Steamboat Service
The voyage launched the first commercially successful steamboat service, opening the age of steam navigation on American rivers.
Modern Era
Sieges of Zaragoza (1808-1809): Spain's Heroic Resistance
The first siege was lifted in August 1808; the second ended with Zaragoza's surrender on 20 February 1809 after enormous losses.