1850 - Florence Academy is established.

1850 - Kentucky's fourth constitution goes into effect. It retains all the slave provisions from the previous constitution, and now requires emancipated slaves to leave the state.

1850 - President Zachary Taylor dies. He is succeeded by Millard Fillmore.

1850 - The Fugitive Slave Law, part of Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850, is passed. Assistance by government officials in capturing runaway slaves is now required.

1851 - The New York Times begins publishing a daily newspaper.