Jun 1859: The colony of Queensland is established by decree of Queen Victoria.
Sep 1859: The clock Big Ben becomes operational in London.
2
1860
1860: The Grand Duchy of Tuscany is annexed to the newly Kingdom of Italy.
6 Nov 1860: U.S. presidential election: Abraham Lincoln beats John C. Breckinridge, Stephen A. Douglas, and John Bell and is elected as the 16th President of the United States, the first Republican to hold that office.
3
1861
Feb 1861: The Confederate States of America are formed.
Nov 1861: Jefferson Davis is elected president of the Confederate States of America