1852—1852: Tasmania ceases to be a convict settlement
1852—1852: Wells Fargo established in USA
2
1853
1853—1853: Vaccination against smallpox made compulsory in Britain
3
1854
1854—1854: Cigarettes introduced into Britain
27 Mar 1854—27 Mar 1854: Britain declares war on Russia (Crimean War)
25 Oct 1854—25 Oct 1854: Battle of Balaklava in Crimea (charge of the Light Brigade)
4
1856
1856—1856: End of Crimean War
29 Jan 1856—29 Jan 1856: Victoria Cross created by Royal Warrant, backdated to 1854 to recognise acts
during the Crimean War (first award ceremony 26 June 1857)
5
1857
1857—1857: Work starts on the laying of the Transatlantic cable