Historical eventMarch 61857

Dred Scott v. Sandford

The Supreme Court of the United States rules 7–2 in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case that the Constitution does not confer citizenship on black people.

Everything on March 6Original source

In context

When
Friday, March 6 1857169 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
19th century · 1850s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1857.

What happened

The Supreme Court of the United States rules 7–2 in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case that the Constitution does not confer citizenship on black people.

March 6 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1857Dred Scott v. Sandford
  2. 1985Christ's Commission Fellowship
  3. 1987MS Herald of Free Enterprise
  4. 1988Operation Flavius
  5. 1988The Troubles
  6. 2000Marine Parade Community Building
  7. 2003Air Algérie Flight 6289
  8. 20086 March 2008 Baghdad bombing
  9. 20082008 Jerusalem yeshiva attack
  10. 2009Florida State University academic-athletic scandal
  11. 20206 March 2020 Kabul shooting

Also in 1857

  • September 11Nauvoo LegionA legion of Mormon militiamen completed a massacre of at least 120 California-bound Arkansas pioneers at Mountain Meadow, Utah.
  • June 1Revolution of the GanhadoresThe Revolution of the Ganhadores, the first general strike in Brazil, began in Salvador, Bahia.
  • August 3Indian Rebellion of 1857Indian Rebellion: An eight-day siege of a fortified outbuilding in Arrah occupied by 68 defenders against more than 10,000 men ended when…
  • January 24University of CalcuttaThe University of Calcutta was established as the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent.
  • August 24Ohio Life Insurance and Trust CompanyThe New York City branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. collapsed following widespread embezzlement, leading to a severe recess…
  • January 91857 Fort Tejon earthquakeAn earthquake registering 7.9 Mw ruptured part of the San Andreas Fault in central and southern California.
  • May 14Mindon MinMindon Min was crowned as King of Burma.
  • December 31Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria announced the choice of Ottawa , then a small logging town, to be the capital of the British colony of Canada.

Everything we record for 1857 →

Sources

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“Dred Scott v. Sandford”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/dred-scott-v-sandford-1857-march-6, accessed October 29, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Dred Scott v. Sandford happen?

March 6 1857 — 169 years ago, on a Friday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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