Olympe Grant (1827 - 1872)

Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Olympe's lifetime.

In 1827, in the year that Olympe Grant was born, on February 28th, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad - the B&O - was incorporated. The B&O became the first railroad to carry both people and freight and was Maryland's answer to the Erie Canal. Construction began on July 4th, 1828.

In 1839, when she was only 12 years old, the "Night of the Big Wind" hit Ireland on January 6th. It was the most damaging cyclone to hit Ireland in 300 years. In North Dublin, around 20% to 25% of homes were damaged or destroyed, and 42 ships were wrecked. Winds hit over 115 miles per hour.

In 1857, she was 30 years old when on March 6th, the US Supreme Court ruled that Blacks were not citizens and that slaves couldn't sue for freedom. The case was known as Dred Scott v. Sandford. It further divided the country and added to the forces that created the Civil War. It wasn't overturned until the 14th Amendment became law in 1868.

In 1866, she was 39 years old when on April 10th, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - the ASPCA - was created. New Yorker Henry Bergh was the first President of the Society and the leader in its creation. He later formed the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

In 1872, in the year of Olympe Grant's passing, on December 4th, the empty American ship Mary Celeste was found in the Atlantic Ocean. Still seaworthy, under partial sail, and with one lifeboat missing, what happened on her is still a mystery. Her cargo and provisions were intact and she was used as a cargo vessel for another 12 years but the people onboard were never seen again