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Birth of Samuel L. Clemens
Samuel L. Clemens is born as Halley's Comet makes an appearance. -
Hannibal, Missouri
Clemens' family moves to Hannibal, Missouri a port town on the Mississippi River. This town is the inspiration behind St. Petersburg, Missouri where 'Tom Sawyer' takes place. -
Typesetter Apprenticeship
in 1851 Clemens begins work for his brother, Orion, at the 'Hannibal Journal' as a typesetter. -
Printer
In 1853, Clemens began work as a printer in New York. He also worked as a printer in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Cincinnati. -
Steamboat Cub Pilot
Clemens and his brother, Henry, begin working on a steamboat. Clemens is trained as a cub pilot. On this date an explosion on the steamboat kills Henry. -
Mark Twain
Clemens first signs the name Mark Twain after he penned "Letter From Carson – re: Joe Goodman; party at Gov. Johnson's; music." The phrase mark twain was a river cry for a safe passages for a steamboat. -
'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is published
The first illustrated edition of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is published by the American Publishing Company. This story takes place approximately in the year 1845. -
Death of Samuel L. Clemens
Samuel L. Clemens passes away from a heart attack as Helley's Comet passes by Earth once again. Clemens predicted that he would leave with the comet just as he arrived with it. -
Clemens' Autobiography is Published
Clemens' wrote his autobiography, by dictation, and requested it to be published 100 years after his death.
