1826
In 1826, the United States saw the founding of the first public library in Peterborough, New Hampshire. This library was significant because it allowed community members free access to books and information, promoting literacy and education.
Additionally, 1826 marked the year when the first photograph was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, a French inventor. This early photograph, known as "View from the Window at Le Gras," was created using a process called heliography, which laid the groundwork for modern photography.