Commodore Perry Sails into Tokyo Harbor, Japan

On this day in history, Commodore Matthew Perry, representing the American government, sails into Tokyo Bay, Japan, with a squadron of four military vessels. For a time, Japanese officials refused to speak with Perry. Still, under threat of attack by the superior American ships, they accepted letters from President Millard Fillmore, making America the first Western nation to establish relations with Japan since it had been declared closed to foreigners two hundred before. Only the Dutch and the Chinese were allowed to continue trade with Japan after 1639, but this trade was restricted and confined to the island of Dejima at Nagasaki.