Historical Events tagged with "john jacob astor"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Exploration & Discovery

Tonquin Departs for Pacific Fur Company's Venture

September 8th, 1810 214 years ago

The Tonquin set sail from New York Harbor carrying 33 employees of John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company. This mission aimed to establish a profitable fur trading venture on the Pacific Coast of North America, an area rich in fur-bearing animals. The crew was tasked with creating a new trading post that would compete with other established interests in the region. The journey represented a significant investment in the burgeoning fur trade market, highlighting Astor's ambitions in expanding American commerce.

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Economics & Industry

John Jacob Astor Founds American Fur Company

April 6th, 1808 216 years ago

John Jacob Astor incorporated the American Fur Company in 1808, laying the foundation for the U.S. fur trade. Capitalizing on previous ventures, Astor aimed to control the supply of fur and expand his wealth through strategic operations in areas like the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes. His enterprise marked a significant moment in American business and led to his eventual rise as America's first millionaire.

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