The Massachusetts Institute of Technology received its charter from the state of Massachusetts in April 1861, shortly before the American Civil War, on the initiative of the geologist William Barton Rogers. Rogers wanted a new kind of institution that combined teaching with laboratory work and practical application of science to industry, and the first classes began in 1865 in Boston. The school moved across the Charles River to Cambridge in 1916, where it still stands. During the twentieth century, and especially after the Second World War, MIT became a leading center for research in physics, engineering, computer science and economics, with laboratories contributing to radar, computing and space navigation. It is regularly ranked among the best universities in the world.
Before and after
- 26 February 1861Death of Taras Shevchenko
- 3 March 1861Tsar Alexander II emancipates the Russian serfs
- from 17 March 1861 to 18 June 1946Kingdom of Italy
- 23 March 1861Publication of Great Expectations
- 10 April 1861Founding of Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- from 12 April 1861 to 9 April 1865American Civil War
- 7 May 1861Birth of Rabindranath Tagore
- 19 June 1861Birth of José Rizal
- from 13 September 1861 to 20 September 1861Siege of Lexington
More in Society, economy & sport
- 12 May 1792Founding of New York Stock Exchange
- 17 February 1863Founding of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- 23 June 1894Founding of International Olympic Committee
- from 6 April 1896 to 15 April 1896The first modern Olympic Games open in Athens
- 1903Rise of Bolsheviks
- 21 May 1904Founding of FIFA
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.