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  3. March
  4. 31
  5. Convention of Kanagawa

Events on March 31 in history

Convention of Kanagawa
1854Mar, 31

Commodore Matthew Perry signs the Convention of Kanagawa with the Tokugawa Shogunate, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade.

The Convention of Kanagawa, also known as the Kanagawa Treaty (, Kanagawa Jyaku) or the JapanUS Treaty of Peace and Amity (, Nichibei Washin Jyaku), was a treaty signed between the United States and the Tokugawa Shogunate on March 31, 1854. Signed under threat of force, it effectively meant the end of Japan's 220-year-old policy of national seclusion (sakoku) by opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American vessels. It also ensured the safety of American castaways and established the position of an American consul in Japan. The treaty precipitated the signing of similar treaties establishing diplomatic relations with other Western powers.

Commodore was an early title and later a rank in the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the Confederate States Navy. For over two centuries, the designation has been given varying levels of authority and formality.

Today, it is no longer a specific rank within Active Duty or Reserve ranks, but it continues to be used as an honorary title within the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard for those senior captains (pay grade O-6) in command of operational organizations composed of multiple independent subordinate naval units (e.g., multiple independent ships or aviation squadrons).

However, commodore is a rank that is actively used to this day in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the civilian volunteer branch of the Coast Guard, for the ranks of District Commodore, Vice National Commodore, and National Commodore.

References

  • Commodore (United States)
  • Matthew C. Perry
  • Convention of Kanagawa
  • Tokugawa shogunate
  • Shimoda, Shizuoka
  • Hakodate

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Events on 1854

  • 31Mar

    Convention of Kanagawa

    Commodore Matthew Perry signs the Convention of Kanagawa with the Tokugawa Shogunate, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade.
  • 1Apr

    Hard Times (novel)

    Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times begins serialisation in his magazine Household Words.
  • 19Aug

    Grattan massacre

    The First Sioux War begins when United States Army soldiers kill Lakota chief Conquering Bear and in return are massacred.
  • 27Sep

    SS Arctic disaster

    The steamship SS Arctic sinks with 300 people on board. This marks the first great disaster in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • 9Oct

    Siege of Sevastopol (1854-55)

    Crimean War: The siege of Sebastopol begins.

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