Anna Louisa (Sharle) Matthews (died 1882)

In 1837, on February 25th, in Philadelphia, the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY) - the oldest African-American university in the United States - was founded. It was the first institution for the higher education of black people in the United States. Founded by Quaker Richard Humphreys who gave $10,000 to establish the school, it still exists today - although the location has moved and it has been renamed Cheyney University. Humphreys was concerned about the struggles of free African Americans to make a living.

In 1848, on January 31st, construction began on the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. - but the monument wasn't completed until 1888. A lack of money, the Civil War, and a dispute over who would manage the monument kept halting construction.

In 1852, on March 2nd, an experimental steam fire engine was tested in the US. Great Britain had begun using "steam pumpers" after 1829, when they were invented.

In 1873, on September 18th, the New York stock market crash - due to the failure of a number of banks - began the Panic of 1873. After the boom following the Civil War, the Coinage Act of 1873 and other factors led to the market crash. Thus began the "Long Depression" - also called the "Great Depression" until the 1930's.

In 1882, in the year of Anna Louisa (Sharle) Matthews's passing, on April 3rd, 34 year old outlaw Jesse James was shot in the back of the head by trusted friend and partner Robert Ford. Suspected of colluding with the Governor of Missouri, brothers Robert and Charley Ford were arrested, indicted, plead guilty, sentenced to be hung - then pardoned by the Governor. All in one day.