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What will become the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, is established by Father Edward Sorin, of the Roman Catholic Congregation of Holy Cross.

In 1842, the Bishop of Vincennes, Célestine Guynemer de la Hailandière, had offered land to Father  Sorin on the condition that he build a college in two years.

Father Sorin arrived on the site with eight Holy Cross brothers from France and Ireland on November 26, 1842, and begins the school using Father Stephen Badin's old log chapel.

He soon erects additional buildings, including the Old College, the first church, and the first main building.

They immediately acquired two students and set about building additions to the campus.

Notre Dame had begun as a primary and secondary school, but soon receives its official college charter from the Indiana General Assembly on January 15, 1844.

Under the charter the school is officially named the University of Notre Dame du Lac (University of Our Lady of the Lake).

Because the university is originally only for male students, the female-only Saint Mary's College is founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross near Notre Dame in 1844.

The Studebaker Brothers Wagon Company, precursor of the automobile manufacturer, is established in South Bend, Indiana, on February 16, 1852.