Births on December 31

Robert Grant Aitken, American astronomer and academic (d. 1951)

Robert Grant Aitken (December 31, 1864 – October 29, 1951) was an American astronomer.

29 Apr

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Theta Xi fraternity is founded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the only fraternity to be founded during the American Civil War.
5 May

Battle of the Wilderness
American Civil War: The Battle of the Wilderness begins in Spotsylvania County.
7 May

Battle of the Wilderness
American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards.
7 May

City of Adelaide (1864)
The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia.
7 Sep

William Tecumseh Sherman
American Civil War: Atlanta is evacuated on orders of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman.