Historical eventFebruary 81837

Richard Mentor Johnson

Richard Mentor Johnson became the only person ever to be elected Vice President of the United States by the Senate.

Everything on February 8Original source

In context

When
Wednesday, February 8 1837189 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
19th century · 1830s
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 1837.

What happened

Richard Mentor Johnson was an American lawyer, military officer, and politician who served as the ninth vice president of the United States from 1837 to 1841 under President Martin Van Buren. He is the only vice president elected by the United States Senate under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment. Johnson also represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He began and ended his political career in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

February 8 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1837Richard Mentor Johnson
  2. 19831983 Melbourne dust storm
  3. 1983Shergar
  4. 1986Via Rail
  5. 1989Independent Air Flight 1851
  6. 1993Iran Airtour
  7. 2010Hindu Kush
  8. 2013February 2013 North American blizzard
  9. 20142014 Medina hotel fire
  10. 2020Nakhon Ratchasima shootings
  11. 2023Laval daycare bus crash

Also in 1837

  • December 7William Lyon MackenzieBritish troops swiftly defeated rebels led by William Lyon Mackenzie and Anthony Van Egmond at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, the onl…
  • March 4ChicagoChicago was incorporated as a city.
  • July 4Grand Junction RailwayThe Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway with steam traction, opened between Birmingham and Newton Junction.
  • August 16DaagaDaaga and two other African soldiers in the British Army's 1st West India Regiment were executed for their role in the St. Joseph Mutiny…
  • April 241837 Surat fireA fire broke out in Surat, India, which went on to destroy about 75% of the city.
  • November 7Abolitionism in the United StatesAmerican abolitionist Elijah Parish Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois, during an attack to destroy his printin…
  • June 20Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria (pictured) acceded to the British throne, beginning a 63-year reign.
  • June 11YankeeTensions between Yankees and Irish Americans in Boston, Massachusetts, erupted in the Broad Street Riot.

Everything we record for 1837 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Richard Mentor Johnson”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/richard-mentor-johnson-1837-february-8, accessed October 28, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Richard Mentor Johnson happen?

February 8 1837 — 189 years ago, on a Wednesday.

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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