Jan 1841: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland occupies Hong Kong. Later during the year, the first census of the island records a population of about 75,000.
Oct 1841: A fire at the Tower of London destroys its Grand Armoury and causes a quarter of a million pounds worth of damage
2
1842
1842: In South Africa, hunter Dick King rides into a British military base in Grahamstown to warn that the Boers have besieged Durban (he had left 11 days earlier). The British army dispatches a relief force.
3
1843
1843: The world's first commercial Christmas cards are printed by Sir Henry Cole in London.
May 1843: The first major wagon train headed for the American Northwest sets out with one thousand pioneers from Elm Grove, Missouri on the Oregon Trail.
Dec 1843: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is first published.
4
1844
1844: Charles Goodyear receives a patent for vulcanization, a process to strengthen rubber
1844: George Williams founds the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in London
27 Nov 1844: Joanna Nijhuis passes away in Borne, Overijssel, Nederland.
5
1845
1845: The Great Irish Famine begins, as the potato crop fails.
Mar 1845: The rubber band is invented in England.
1 Apr 1845: Johan Wilhelm Dik is born in Altenberge, Kreis Steinfurt, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deustschland.
8 May 1845: Johanna Christina Veltrop is born in Slagharen, Hardenberg,Overijssel, Nederland.
Jul 1845: Charles Sturt enters the Simpson Desert in central Australia.
1841 - 1845 (4 years)
