How many years ago was 1859?

How long ago was 1859?

To put into perspective how long ago 1859 was:

• Everyone who was born in 1859 has since passed away.
• Sixteen decades have passed since then.
• Telephones did not exist at the time.
• The Moon is moving away from Earth at roughly 1.49 inches per year. That means that it has moved away by about 246 inches since 1859.
• There have been roughly 8,580 weekends since then.
• Cars did not exist.
• Women were not allowed to vote in the United States.
• Blue jeans did not exist in 1859.
• Slavery in the United States was still legal.
• People were using candles, gas lights and fires to light their homes.
• Outdoor lighting wasn't electric.
• The Earth has travelled 743 billion miles through space since 1859.
• Due to the expansion of the Atlantic Ocean, the distance between the United States and Europe has grown 4 meters since 1859.
• Drinking straws did not exist.