1856
The US Copyright Act is extended to include dramatic works.
1868
French astronomer Pierre Jules César Janssen discovers helium in the solar spectrum during an eclipse. It marks the first discovery of an “extraterrestrial” element, since helium hadn’t yet been discovered on Earth.
1869
Canadian Patent Number 1 is issued to W. Hamilton. The very first Canadian patent, issued before the official numbering series, was granted in 1791 by the Governor General to Angus MacDonnel, a Scottish soldier garrisoned in Quebec City.