French forces conquer Mexico City and install Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico
Sheridan Le Fanu publishes The House by the Churchyard
Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee are defeated by General George Meade’s U.S. troops at the three-day Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, marking the turning point of the War between the States (July 1)
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln publishes the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1)
