Here are some points of what went on through those years
The New York Times Founded. It was first published under the New York Daily Times. The Times was published by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones on September 18, 1851. The paper was to produced for each day of the week except on Sundays. 1851's articles included Is Europe Ripe for Revolution? The Expected Arrival of Kossuth at Washington. Cold Weather in the East. Fugitive Slave Riots in Laucaster County, Pennsylvania.
The Great Exhibition which is also known as the Crystal Palace was constructed from a cast iron frame and glass. When the Crystal Palace opened, it attracted six million people which was equivalent to a third of the population of Great Britain. Visitors paid one penny each which is where the British saying "to spend a penny" comes from.
In 1852, Uncle Tom's Cabin was Published. It was a publication that inspired the anti-slavery movement. Beecher Stowe's hard work sold fifty thousand copies in the first eight weeks and reached half a million copies within the first six months. The book is to have a part in causing the Civil War.
The Arts and Crafts movement started to flourish during 1860. This design philosophy was using traditional craftsmanship which used simple forms and often medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration.