Government

Work is begun on building No. 10 Downing Street as the residence of British prime ministers.

Science

Mark Catesby (1683-1749), English naturalist, publishes "The National History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands," with 100 engravings of American birds.

Inventions

English mathematician John Hadley (1682-1744) invents a quadrant for use at sea.

Education

Libraries: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) founds a circulating library in Philadelphia, the Library Company of Philadelphia.

Education

Welsh educator Bridget Vaughan (1698-1779) founds several schools in Wales.

Education

Education of Women: Laura Bassi (1711-1778) receives a doctorate in Italy and teaches anatomy and experimental physics.

Arts and Letters

Drama: George Lillo's (1693-1749) "The London Merchant" is the first serious play with a lower-class hero.

Washington, Martha

Martha Dandridge (1731-1802), future wife of the first President of the United States, George Washington (1732-1799) is born on June 2 at Chestnut Grove plantation on the Panumkey River in New Kent County,near Williamsburg, VA.

Daily Life

Dr. John Arbuthnot advocates dieting.

Daily Life

Work is begun on building Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Popular Culture

Public concerts are held in Boston and Charleston, S.C.

Religion

Anti-Semitism: All Hebrew books in the Papal State are confiscated.

Reform

Labor Movement: English factory workers are forbidden to emigrate to America.

Government

Presidents: George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the United States, is born on February 22 in Virginia.

Government

James Oglethorpe (1696-1785) receives a charter to found a colony in Georgia.

Education

Higher Education: A department of mathematics and natural philosophy (science) is established at Harvard by Issac Greenwood (1702-1745).

Education

Libraries: Louis Timothee is hired by Ben Franklin’s Library Company of Philadelphia as the first professional librarian in the United States.

Education

Education of Women: Mme. de Lambert (1647-1733) recommends a university education for women.

Arts and Letters

Music: Covent Garden Opera House is opened in London.

Economics

Transportation: The first stagecoach line, between Burlington and Amboy, NJ, is established.

Sports

The game of ninepins (bowling) is played for the first time in New York City.

Popular Culture

A theatrical company from London performs for the first time in New York City.

Popular Culture

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) begins publishing "Poor Richard’s Almanack" (for the year 1733.

Religion

Anti-Semitism: Anti-Jewish laws in Rome are renewed by Pope Clement XII.

Religion

The first mass in the only Catholic church in the colonies is celebrated in Philadelphia.

Law

Latin is abolished in the English courts.

Government

England passes the Molasses Act, which places heavy taxes on molasses, rum and sugar imported to the colonies.

Government

James Oglethorpe (1696-1785) founds the last of the 13 colonies, named Georgia in honor of King George II; he also founds the city of Savannah.

Medicine

Epidemic: The first serious outbreak of influenza sweeps through New York City and Philadelphia; about three-fourths of the population is affected.

Inventions

John Kay (1704-c.1764) patents a flying shuttle loom.

Inventions

Chester Moor Hall (1703-1771) invents the achromatic lens refracting telescope.

Education

Charter schools for Protestants only are founded in Ireland.

Arts and Letters

Essay: Alexander Pope (1688-1744) writes his "Essay on Man," including the words, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”

Ideas

Francois Marie Arouet de Voltaire’s (1694-1778) "Letters Concerning the English Nation" is written, helping to define the liberal spirit of the Enlightenment.

Daily Life

The Society of Freemasons establishes its first American lodge in Boston.

Daily Life

The first polar bear is exhibited in America, in Boston.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The New York "Weekly Journal" is published by John Peter Zenger (1697-1746), opposing policies of the colonial government.

Religion

The Corporation for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England is founded.

Religion

First Great Awakening: Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) preaches on “The Great Awakening” in New England—a religious revival that emphasizes man’s sinful nature.

Science

The role of pollen and various plant organs in the sexual reproduction of corn is described by James Logan (1654-1751), secretary to William Penn (1644-1718).

Education

Christian von Wolff advances the idea that the human mind is composed of powers or faculties. Called 'Faculty Psychology', the idea greatly influences American education through the 19th century and accounts for the shared experience of tedious drill and repetition of basic skills.

Arts and Letters

Charles de Secondat, Baron of Montesquieu (1689-1755) publishes "Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline."

Ideas

Voltaire’s (1694-1778) "Lettres philosophiques" attack established religion and argue for religious tolerance; a warrant is issued for his arrest.

Daily Life

Newspapers: In November, New York newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) is arrested and accused of seditious libel by the Governor.

Sports

Horse Racing: The first horse race in America is held in Charleston Neck, SC.

Religion

George Sale (1697-1736) translates the Koran into English.

Religion

8,000 Protestants from Saltzburg settle in Georgia.

Government

Presidents: John Adams (1735-1826), 2nd President of the U.S., is born on October 30, in Massachusetts.

Science

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778), Swedish botanist, devises a classification method for plants and animals.

Inventions

George Hadley (1685-1768), English meteorologist, invents the Hadley Cell, a model of the Earth’s wind circulation.

Arts and Letters

Opera: The first opera performed in the colonies, “Flora,” opens in Charleston, South Carolina.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The “Evening Post” begins publishing in Boston.

Daily Life

Women’s status in the colonies changes due to increasing wealth. Newspapers tell of runaway wives and elopements.

Daily Life

Newspapers: John Peter Zenger (1697-1746), printer and publisher of the "New York Weekly Journal," is acquitted of seditious libel in a landmark trial for freedom of the press.

Religion

John Wesley (1702-1791) writes his “Journals.”

Religion

The first Moravian (United Brethern) community is established at Savannah, Ga.

Reform

Temperance Movement: The sale of spirits (liquor) is prohibited in Georgia (until 1742).

Government

English statutes against witchcraft are repealed.

Science

Anders Celsius (1701-1744) shows that the Earth’s poles are somewhat flat.

Medicine

The first accurate and detailed description of scarlet fever is given.

Medicine

Claudius Aymand (1660-1740) performs the first successful operation for appendicitis.

Arts and Letters

Charles Theodore Pachelbel (1690-1750) gives organ concerts in New York City, brings the Bach tradition to the New World.

Economics

French engraver and type founder Pierre-Simon Fournier (1712-1768) sets up a foundry in Paris.

Economics

Transportation: Regular stagecoach line service begins between Boston and Newport, RI.

Religion

Pope Clement XII (1652-1740) condemns Freemasonry.

Religion

The first Protestant missions are established at the Cape Colony in South Africa.

Social Issues

Poverty: Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (1660-1744) builds the Marlborough Almshouses.

Government

William Byrd (1674-1744) founds the city of Richmond, VA.

Inventions

John Harrison (1693-1776) invents the first stable nautical chronometer, thereby allowing for precise longitude determination while at sea.

Arts and Letters

Lexicographer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) arrives in London.

Economics

American Money: Copper money is first coined in Connecticut; the coins are stamped “I am good copper,” and “Value me as you will.”

Religion

John Wesley’s (1702-1791) "Psalms and Hymns" is published in Charleston.

Science

Maria Agnesi (1718-1799), publishes essays on science and philosophy.

Science

Joseph Breintnall, a member of Franklin's Library Company, describes the aurora borealis.

Science

Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782) examines fluid flow in "Hydrodynamica."

Medicine

John Lining (1708-1760) records daily weather observations and theorizes that weather affects—and may cause—certain diseases.

Medicine

Epidemic: A smallpox epdemic begins in South Carolina.

Inventions

The bottle opener is invented.

Arts and Letters

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) writes the "B minor Mass."

Ideas

Voltaire (1694-1778) brings the ideas of Isaac Newton (1642-1727) to France.

Economics

The first successful glass factory is founded in Salem county, New Jersey.

Economics

U.S. Population: Population in the colonies is estimated at 800,000.

Daily Life

The first cuckoo clocks appear in the Black Forest.

Daily Life

Newspapers: Elizabeth Timothy (?-1757) begins publishing the weekly newspaper, the "South Carolina Gazette."

Daily Life

Umbrellas come into use, despite much religious opposition, especially among Quakers.

Daily Life

Dancing: Strict codes of behavior in New England begin to relax somewhat; the teaching of French dancing is allowed.

Religion

The Great Awakening: John Wesley (1702-1791) and George Whitefield (1713-1779) immigrate to Georgia as leaders of the “Great Awakening.”

Religion

Selina Hastings, (1707-1791), founds many chapels and begins a training college for Methodist ministers at Trefecca House.

Religion

In French Canada, Marguerite D’Youville (1701-1771) founds the Soeurs Grises (Gray Nuns), an order of uncloistered nurses who visited and cared for the sick in their homes; she also founded La Creche d’Youville, a home for abandoned children.

War

War of Jenkins' Ear: England declares war on Spain; border skirmishes erupt between colonists in South Carolina and Georgia and the Spanish in Florida.

Medicine

A Foundling Hospital is established in London.

Medicine

Epidemic: A measles epidemic breakes out in Boston.

Ideas

David Hume (1711-1776) writes “A Treatise on Human Nature.”

Economics

Josiah Wedgewood (1730-1795) begins working in the family business in England.

Discovery

Jean-Baptiste Lozier Bouvet (1705-1786) discovers Bouvet Island, near Antarctica.

Daily Life

The first camellias arrive in Europe from Far East.

Popular Culture

American music is influenced by the appearance of the American edition of Watts’ "Hymns and Spiritual Songs."

Religion

The Moravian Church is founded in America by Bishop A. G. Spengenberg (1704-1792).

Religion

Moravians introduce Saint Nicholas as a central feature of Christmas celebrations.

Social Issues

Slavery: Violent uprisings by black slaves occur on three separate occasions in South Carolina.

Reform

Women''s Rights Movement: "Women Not Inferior to Men" is published anonymously in England, probably written by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689-1762).

Government

Frederick the Great (1712-1786) introduces freedom of the press and freedom of worship in Prussia.

Science

John Winthrop (1714-1779) observes and describes a transit of Mercury and a lunar eclipse.

Science

Anders Celsius (1701-1744) builds the Uppsala observatory in Sweden.

Technology

Jacques de Vaucanson (1709-1782) demonstrates his clockwork powered carriage.

Technology

English inventor Benjamin Huntsman (1704-1776) improves “crucible” process for smelting steel.

Education

African American Education: Hugh Bryan, wealthy Presbyterian, opens a school for African Americans in Charleston, SC.

Arts and Letters

Georg Frederic Handel’s (1685-1759) "Water Music" is published.

Arts and Letters

Literature: Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) publishes "Pamela," considered the first English novel.

Discovery

George Anson (1697-1762) sets out on a voyage around the world.

Daily Life

Disasters: A great fire destroys half of Charleston, SC.

Religion

The Great Awakening: Large numbers of women join churches during the Great Awakening of the 1740s. Some have called this the “feminization of the church.”

Religion

The Great Awakening: Open-air preaching, the charismatic phenomena, and the involvement of the poor all gain more public attention for this movement. Support comes from most American Protestant denominations, but not from Anglicans.

Social Issues

Slavery: Fifty black slaves are hanged in Charleston, SC, after plans for a revolt are found.

Social Issues

Slavery: Slaves are prohibited from using drums because they are a means of communication.

Science

Astronomer Elizabeth Pinckney (1722-1793) sights a comet whose appearance was predicted by Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727).

Arts and Letters

George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) writes "The Messiah" in 18 days.

Arts and Letters

Drama: English actor David Garrick (1717-1779) makes his first appearance as Richard III in London.

Ideas

Essay: David Hume (1711-1776) publishes his "Essays: Moral and Political."

Discovery

On the last of a series of expeditions, Danish Captain Vitus Bering (1681-1741) discovers Alaska.

Daily Life

Magazines: One of the first magazines in the colonies, Benjamin Franklin’s "The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle for All the British Plantations in America," goes on sale; it lasts for six months.

Religion

The Great Awakening: Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) delivers the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” at Enfield, MA.

Social Issues

Slavery: A second slave uprising takes place in New York; 26 slaves are killed and 71 deported.

Reform

Temperance Movement: Drunkenness is so prevalent that each colony has laws to control drinking. Boston posts the names of drunkards.

Reform

Labor Movement: The first labor strike occurs in New York City when bakers protest the regulation of the price of bread.

Science

John Winthrop (1714-1779) begins 21 years of recording weather observations three times a day.

Science

Swiss mathematician Daniel Bernoulli (1667-1748) publishes work on integral calculus.

Inventions

Swiss astronomer Anders Celsius (1701-1744) invents the centigrade thermometer.

Education

Education of Women: Moravians (Church of the United Bretheran) found a school in Germantown, Pa. (later Bethlehem); this will grow into the Moravian Seminary for Young Females (from 1805, the Young Ladies Seminary), one of the earliest American girls’ boarding schools.

Arts and Letters

Georg Frederic Handel’s (1685-1759) "The Messiah" is performed in Bethlehem, PA.

Arts and Letters

Architecture: Artist John Smibert (1688-1751) draws plans for Boston’s Faneuil Hall.

Economics

The fishing industry grows in New England; there are nearly 1,000 fishing boats.

Daily Life

An edition of "The Complete Housewife," an English cookbook by Eliza Smith, appears in Williamsburg. VA.

Religion

John Wesley (1703-1791) publishes his first collection of hymns, encouraging congregational singing.

Government

Presidents: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3rd U.S. President, is born in Virginia.

Government

Democracy: The first American town meeting is held in Boston’s Faneuil Hall.

Science

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) establishes the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia to promote colonial science.

Ideas

In part, through the American Philosophical Society, ideas of the European Enlightenment come to America. These emphasize seculalrism, science, and human reason and clash with the religious dogma of the day, but greatly influence the thinking of prominent colonists, including Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

Economics

French trappers reach Santa Fe and begin limited trade with the Spanish.

Economics

The first settlement is made in South Dakota.

Economics

Handkerchiefs are first manufactured in Paisley, Scotland.

Discovery

French explorers reach the Rocky Mountains.

Sports

Boxing: The earliest recorded rules for boxing (or prize fighting) are formulated.

Religion

“The Christian History,” the first religious journal in the colonies, is published in Boston.

Social Issues

Immigration: A “pesthouse” is established in Philadelphia to quarantine immigrants.

Government

Native Americans: The Iroquois Confederation cedes the Ohio Valley territory north of the Ohio River to England.

Inventions

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) invents the Pennsylvania Fireplace (or Franklin Stove) which provides much more heat on much less fuel than regular fireplaces.

Arts and Letters

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) edits Cato’s "Cato Major" in Philadelphia.

Arts and Letters

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) completes Part 2 of "The Well-Tempered Clavier."

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Smith (1744-1818), future wife of President John Adams, is born on November 11, in Weymouth, MA.

Economics

Elizabeth (Eliza) Pinckney (1722-1793) develops indigo as a commercial crop in the Carolinas.

Economics

Rubber is first used in Europe about this time.

Discovery

George Anson (1697-1762) returns from trip around the world.

Sports

Cricket: The first recorded cricket match is held in England.

Popular Culture

“God Save the Queen” is published in Thesaurus Musicus.

Science

Women''s Firsts: Higher Education: Laura Bassi (1711-1778) lectures on physics at the University of Bologna, becoming the first woman physics professor at any university.

Medicine

Thomas Cadwalader (1708-1779) publishes America’s first medical pamphlet describing the treatment of lead poisoning caused by drinking rum distilled in lead pipes.

Inventions

Ewald Georg von Kleist (1700-1748), invents the capacitor.

Education

Higher Education: Yale College, Connecticut, receives a new royal charter.

Ideas

The writings of Charles de Secondat (1689-1755), Baron of Montesquieu appear in American periodicals, influencing the formation of the Constitution.

Daily Life

“The Campbells Are Coming,” Scottish national song, is published.

Daily Life

The first meeting of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows takes place in England.

Daily Life

Dancing: The quadrille becomes a fashionable dance in France.

Popular Culture

Men and women make Whist a popular card game.

Religion

Judaism: Jews are expelled from Prague.

Religion

The first carillon in America is installed in the belfry of Christ Church, Boston.

War

Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), the “Young Pretender” of Scotland, wins a victory at Falkirk, but is defeated finally at Colloden; with the help of Flora MacDonald he escapes to France.

Science

Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790) explains weather patterns, pressure systems, and water spouts. He begins his experiments with electricity.

Education

Higher Education: The College of New Jersey is founded; it becomes Princeton University in 1896.

Arts and Letters

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) contracts for "A Dictionary of the English Language."

Ideas

Denis Diderot (1713-1784) publishes "Pensées philosophiques."

Daily Life

Wearing of the tartan is prohibited in Great Britain until 1782.

Popular Culture

Lucy Terry's (c. 1730-1821) "Bars Fight" is published; it is the earliest existing poem by an African-American.

Religion

First Great Awakening: The establishment of the College of New Jersey (later, Princeton University) owes something to graduates of the Log College, founded in 1726 to train evangelical ministers during the First Great Awakening.

Law

The first legal society, the New York Bar Association, is founded in New York City.

Science

German chemist A. S. Marggraf (1709-1782) discovers sugar in beetroot.

Science

Mark Catesby (1683-1749) publishes "On Migration," writing about migrating birds; he is later called the “Father of American Ornithography.”

Medicine

James Lind (1716 – 1794) discovers that citrus fruits prevent scurvy.

Medicine

Epidemic: A measles epidemic sweeps through Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

Arts and Letters

Poetry: English poet Thomas Gray (1716-1771) publishes "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College," containing the lines, “Where ignorance is bliss,/’Tis folly to be wise.”

Arts and Letters

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) publishes “A Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language.”

Arts and Letters

William Stith (1689-1755) publishes "The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia," one of the most accurate accounts of a colonial settlement, covering the years to 1624.

Economics

The Ohio Company is formed to extend colonial settlements of Virginia westward; rivalry for the West, especially for the upper Ohio Valley, increases between France and Great Britain.

Popular Culture

The Drury Lane Theatre begins to flourish under David Garrick (1717-1779).

Government

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is founded by the British.

Science

John Mitchell (1690-1768) is the first to accurately describe the lifestyle and pouch of the opossum.

Science

Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) relates the functions of unknown quantities in equations.

Science

Maria Agnesi (1718-1799) discusses analysis in "Instituzioni Analitiche ad Uso della Gioventu Italiana."

Medicine

English physician John Fothergill (1712-1780) describes diphtheria.

Education

Libraries: A circulating library opens in Charleston, SC.

Ideas

Charles de Secondat, Baron of Montesquieu (1689-1755), publishes his "Spirit of Laws."

Ideas

David Hume (1711-1776) publishes "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding."

Jefferson, Martha

Martha Wayles (1748-1782), future wife of President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), is born on October 30 in Charles City County, Virginia.

Economics

Platinum arrives in Europe from South America.

Economics

The Dutch begin to trade on Africa’s east coast.

Discovery

Excavation begins at Pompeii.

Sports

Cricket: Court of King’s Bench rules that “cricket is a legal sport.”

Government

Georgia becomes a Crown Colony.

Inventions

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) invents the lightning rod, installing one on his Philadelphia house.

Education

Special Education: Giacobbo Rodriguez Pereira (1715-1780) invents sign language for deaf-mutes.

Education

Children''s Books: Sarah Fielding (1710-1768), sister of Henry Fielding (1707-1754), publishes "The Governess," the first English novel written expressly for children.

Education

Higher Education: The Philadelphia Academy is founded; it becomes the University of Pennsylvania in 1791.

Arts and Letters

Literature: Henry Fielding (1707-1754) writes "A History of Tom Jones, a Foundling."

Ideas

Education of Women: Dorothea Erxleben (1715-1762) publishes "Rational Thoughts on Education of the Fair Sex," advocating university study for women.

Economics

The Ohio Company makes its first settlement around the forks of the Ohio River.

Social Issues

Slavery: Black slavery is legalized in Georgia.

Government

The British Parliament passes The Iron Act, limiting the growth of the iron industry in the American Colonies

Science

Higher Education: Maria Agnesi (1718-1799) is named honorary professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna

Science

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille (1713-1762), French astronomer, plots 10,000 Southern Hemisphere stars.

Science

Thomas Wright (1711-1786) discusses galaxies and the shape of the Milky Way in "An Original Theory or New Hypothesis of the Universe."

Education

Education of Women: The word "bluestocking," is used as a put-down for learned women

Arts and Letters

Poetry: Thomas Gray (1716-1771) writes "Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard."

Arts and Letters

Neoclassicism as a reaction against baroque and rococo styles spreads over Europe.

Ideas

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) attacks science and art as tools of the rich in "Discours sur les sciences et les arts."

Ideas

David Hume (1711-1776) publishes "Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals."

Washington, Martha

Martha Dandridge (1731-1802) marries Daniel Parke Custis (1711-1757). They moves to his plantation, called White House, 33 miles from Williamsburg.

Economics

The first American coal mine opens on the James River in Virginia.

Economics

Movable type for printing music comes into use.

Economics

The population of Europe is approximately 140 million.

Economics

U. S. Population: Over a million people live in colonial America.

Daily Life

Transportation: The river flatboat and the Conestoga wagon first appear in Pennsylvania.

Sports

Cricket: The Humbledon Cricket Club is founded in England.

Sports

Horse Racing: The English Jockey Club is founded in London to promote the sport of horse racing.

Popular Culture

American Theatre: The first playhouse opens in New York City.

Religion

The Great Awakening: The first Great Awakening ends when Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is forced to resign from his church in Northampton, MA because of his emphasis on the sinful nature of man.

Reform

American Protest Music: “Yankee Doodle” is written during the American Revolution by Dr. Richard Schuckburg.

Government

Britain passes the British Calendar Act, which places England and its colonies on the Gregorian Calendar beginning in 1752.

Government

Presidents: James Madison (1751-1836), fourth President of the U.S., is born in Port Conway, Virginia.

Science

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1791) publishes "Experiments and Observations on Electricity," using the terms positive and negative for the first time.

Education

Higher Education: Calculus is introduced into the Harvard curriculum by John Winthrop, Jr.

Education

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) helps found the first “English Academy” in Philadelphia.

Washington, Martha

Daniel Parke Custis, Jr. (1751-1754), first son of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, is born.

Economics

The Ohio Company actively colonizes in the Ohio Valley.

Economics

The first sugar cane grown in America is introduced in Louisiana by Catholic missionaries; it is used to make a kind of rum.

Daily Life

The 4th edition of Hannah Glasse’s (1708-1770) cookbook is printed.

Daily Life

Dancing: The minuet becomes Europe’s fashionable dance.

Sports

Cricket: The first cricket match is held in New York City.

Popular Culture

Tobias Smollett (1721-1771) writes "The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle."

Reform

Mental Health Movement: The first mental asylums appear in London.

Government

Great Britain adopts the Gregorian calendar on Sept. 14 (Sept. 3-13 is omitted).

War

French and Indian: The French begin building forts across Pennsylvania and into Ohio to stop British invasion of their territory.

Science

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) performs his famous kite experiment, proving that lightning is electricity.

Science

René Antoine Réaumur (1683-1757) identifies gastric juices and their role in digestion.

Medicine

Thomas Bond (1712-1784) establishes the first general hospital in the colonies in Philadelphia, treating all except those with incurable or infectious diseases.

Education

St. Matthew Lutheran School, one of the first Lutheran 'parish schools' in North America is founded in New York City by Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (1711-1787).

Ideas

David Hume (1711-1776) writes "Political Discourses."

Economics

An early fire insurance company is founded in Pennsylvania by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790).

Religion

Missionaries first arrive at the Cape Colony, South Africa.

Government

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) and William Hunter are appointed as postmasters general for the American Colonies.

War

French and Indian: French troops from Canada seize the Ohio Valley in action leading up to the French and Indian War.

Science

Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) publishes "Species Plantarum," establishing the names of plant species.

Medicine

John Lining (1708-1760) publishes a detailed description of yellow fever.

Education

Museums: The British Museum in London is granted a royal foundation charter, and begins its collection with 50,000 volumes, thousands of manuscripts, coins, and other artifacts left to England by London physician Sir Hans Slone.

Arts and Letters

Literature: Charlotte Lennox’s (1720-1804) "Shakespear Illustrated," a pioneering study of Shakespeare’s sources, is published.

Washington, Martha

Frances Parke Custis (1753-1757), first daughter of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, is born.

Economics

Transportation: Railroad History: First steam engine arrives in the colonies from England.

Daily Life

The Liberty Bell is recast after it arrived from Europe with a crack in it; it cracked again after this casting.

Sports

Horse Racing: The Jockey Club establishes a permanent track for horse racing at Newmarket, in London.

Religion

Judaism: English Act of Parliament permits naturalization of Jews.

War

French and Indian: The French and Indian War begins as Britain declares war on France in the American colonies.

Science

Scottish chemist Joseph Black (1728-1799) discovers carbonic acid gas.

Medicine

Women's Firsts: Dorothea Erxleben (1715-1762) graduates from the University of Halle, the first woman to obtain a medical degree from a German university.

Medicine

James Lind (1716-1794) publishes a paper that proves that citrus juice can be an effective way to combat scurvy.

Inventions

African American Inventors: Benjamin Bannecker (1731-1806) makes the first clock built entirely in America.

Education

Higher Education: King’s College in New York City is founded; it becomes Columbia University in 1784.

Arts and Letters

Architecture: The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is completed by Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli (1700-1771).

Washington, Martha

Daniel Parke Custis, Jr. (1751-1754), son of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, dies.

Washington, Martha

John "Jacky" Parke Custis (1754-1781), second son of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, is born.

Sports

Golf: St. Andrew’s Royal and Ancient Golf Club is founded in Scotland.

War

French and Indian: British General Edward Braddock (c.1695-1755) takes command of all English forces in America during the French and Indian War. He is mortally wounded in an ambush near Fort Duquesne in western Pennsylvania.

War

French and Indian: Twenty-three year-old George Washington (1732-1799) assumes command of the retreating army of British and colonial troops

Technology

The first steam engine in America is installed to pump water from a mine.

Education

Higher Education: The first Russian institution of higher education, Moscow State University, is founded

Arts and Letters

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) begins his work on "The Dictionary of the English Language."

Ideas

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), publishes his "Discourse upon the Origin and Foundation of Inequality Among Mankind" (Second Discourse).

Daily Life

Maps of Virginia and the Middle British Colonies are printed.

Daily Life

Sir Harry Frankland (1716-1768) marries his mistress, Agnes Surriage (1726-1783), according to legend, after she saves him from being buried alive following an earthquake.

War

120 British soldiers are imprisoned and die in India (“Black Hole of Calcutta”).

War

French and Indian: The French and Indian War is formally declared; the French under General Louis Montcalm (1712-1759) capture and destroy British colonial Fort Oswego in New York and drive Britain from the Great Lakes in North America.

Ideas

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) writes "Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful."

Washington, Martha

Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1756-1773), second daughter of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, is born.

Economics

Transportation: A stagecoach line is established between Philadelphia and New York City

Economics

The first chocolate factory is opened in Germany.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The "New Hampshire Gazette," one of the longest running newspapers in America, is established.

Daily Life

Louis François du Plessis, the Duc de Richelieu (1696-1788) invents mayonnaise.

Daily Life

Fashion: Cotton velvets are first made in England.

Government

William Pitt (1708-1778) becomes England's Secretary of State.

Government

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is sent to London as a representative of the Pennsylvania legislature to negotiate for the heirs of William Penn.

War

French and Indian: William Pitt (1708-1778) escalates the War in the colonies by establishing a policy of unlimited warfare.

Ideas

David Hume (1711-1776) publishes "The Natural History of Religion."

Washington, Martha

Frances Parke Custis (1753-1757), first daughter of Martha and Daniel Parke Custis, dies.

Washington, Martha

Daniel Parke Custis (1711-1757) dies, leaving Martha a 26-year-old, very wealthy widow with two young children to raise.

Daily Life

The first street lights—whale-oil lamps designed by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)—are used on a few streets in Philadelphia.

Popular Culture

The first public concert is held in Philadelphia.

Government

Presidents: James Monroe (1758-1831) 5th President of the U.S., is born on April 28, in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

War

French and Indian: English forces at Lake George, New York, lose nearly two thousand men during a frontal attach against well-entrenched French forces at Fort Ticonderoga; French losses are 377.

War

French and Indian: George Washington (1732-1799) and General John Forbes (1710-1759) take Fort Duquesne, later renamed Pittsburgh.

Inventions

A hose-knitting machine is invented.

Inventions

John Dolland (1706-1761) reinvents the achromatic lens.

Education

African American Education: A school for Negroes is established in Philadelphia by the Anglican missionary group.

Arts and Letters

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) writes his first symphony.

Washington, Martha

Martha Dandridge Custis (1731-1802) becomes engaged to George Washington (1732-1799).

Economics

Transportation: Railroad History: An Act of Parliament establishes the Middleton Railway in Leeds.

Daily Life

Native Americans: Molly (Mary) Brant (c.1736-1796), a Mohawk woman, becomes the partner of Sir William Johnson. She is largely responsible for the alliance between the Iroquois and the British.

Daily Life

Native Americans: A raiding party consisting of French and Shawnee warriors takes Mary Jemison (1743-1833) captive. She adopts Native American customs, which she retains all her adult life.

Popular Culture

The first English manual on playing the guitar is published.

Social Issues

Native Americans: The first North American Indian reservation is established on 3,000 acres in New Jersey.

War

French and Indian: The French surrender to the British at Quebec.

Medicine

Epidemic: A measles epidemic breaks out all over North America, wherever white people live.

Education

Museums: The British Museum is opened at Montegu House.

Arts and Letters

Literature: Voltaire (1694-1778) writes "Candide."

Washington, Martha

Martha Dandridge Custis (1731-1802) marries George Washington (1732-1799). The family moves first to Williamsburg, and then to Mount Vernon.

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Smith (1744-1818) is received into her father’s Congregational Church in Weymouth on June 24. Later that summer, she meets John Adams (1735-1826) in her father’s parsonage.

Economics

Irish brewer Arthur Guinness (1725-1803) establishes a brewery in Dublin that will become the world’s largest

Economics

Colonial shipbuilders are producing nearly 400 vessels each year.

Economics

Thomas Penn (1702-1775) and Richard Penn establish the first recorded life insurance company, the Presbyterian Ministers fund, in Philadelphia.

Religion

Judaism: Architecture: Peter Harrison (1716-1775) designs the first U.S. synagugue, the Touro synagogue in Newport, RI.

Government

George III (1738-1820) becomes King of Great Britain, Ireland, and the 1.6 million colonists living in America.

War

French and Indian: British General Lord Jeffrey Amherst (1717-1797) captures Montreal and ends French resistance in Canada; France cedes Quebec to England.

Medicine

New York requires that all physicians and surgeons pass a test and be licensed to practice medicine.

Inventions

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) invents the first bifocal lenses for eye glasses.

Education

Special Education: The first British school for the deaf is opened by Thomas Braidwood (1715-1806), in Edinburgh.

Education

African American Education: The Bray School for African-American children is established in Williamsburg.

Education

Higher Education: College of William and Mary students petition for better food; they ask for salt and fresh meat for dinner, and desserts 3 times a week.

Arts and Letters

The Royal Society of the Arts is founded in London.

Jefferson, Martha

Thomas Jefferson (1723-1826) enters the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Economics

Josiah Wedgewood (1730-1795) founds a pottery works at Etruria, Staffordshire, England.

Economics

U.S. Population: The population in the American colonies is estimated at 1.6 million.

Economics

Watermarks are used in woven paper.

Daily Life

Fashion: The first silk hats appear in Florence Italy.

Sports

The first roller skates are introduced in London by musical instrument maker Joseph Merlin (1735-1803).

Popular Culture

The rules of Whist (later to be bridge) are laid down by Edmund Hoyle (1672-1769).

Politics

James Otis (1725-1783) opposes British writs of assistance, claiming they violate the natural rights of the British colonials.

War

French and Indian: General Jeffrey Amherst (1717-1797) forbids presents of food and arms to Indians in the French and Indian War.

War

French and Indian: The Iroquois present a war belt to the Detroit Indians, but it is rejected.

Science

Russian scientist and poet Mikhail V. Lomonosov (1711-1765) discovers the atmosphere of Venus.

Science

Josef Kobreuter, German botanist, recognizes the role of the wind and insects in the pollination of plants.

Science

Chemist Joseph Black (1728-1799) discovers that ice absorbs heat without changing temperature when melting.

Medicine

Epidemic: An epidemic of influenza breaks out in North America and the West Indies.

Washington, Martha

George Washington (1732-1799) begins experimenting with crop rotation, soil fertilization, and livestock management and breeding at Mount Vernon.

Daily Life

The earliest recorded American folk ballad, “Springfield Mountain” is sung in New England.

Social Issues

Slavery: Women''''s Firsts: Slavery: The first black American poet, Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) is bought as a young child off a Boston slave ship.

Government

Catherine the Great (1729-1796) begins her 34-year reign as Empress of Russia.

Inventions

John Harrison (1693-1776), English inventor, builds a marine chronometer.

Education

Libraries: Higher Education: The library of the Sorbonne is opened in Paris.

Education

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) publishes "The Emile," his major treatise on education.

Ideas

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) publishes "The Social Contract."

Economics

Cast iron is converted into malleable iron for the first time in Scotland.

Economics

Ethan Allen (1738-1789) establishes an ironworks and blast furnace in Connecticut which will make many of the cannons used in the Revolutionary War.

Daily Life

Holidays: The first St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in New York City.

Religion

The Moravians publish a collection of hymns in the language of the Delaware Indians.

Government

The British Proclamation of 1763 forbids the American colonists to settle the land beyond the Appalachian Mountains, and requires those already settled in those regions to return east in an attempt to ease tensions with Native Americans.

War

French and Indian: General Thomas Gage (1721-1787) succeeds Lord Jeffrey Amherst (1717-1797) as head of British forces in America.

War

French and Indian: The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War; France cedes Canada and all its North American territories east of the Mississippi to Great Britain.

Science

Nicole-Reine Lepaute’s (1723-1768) maps and tables showing the precise times and extent of an annular eclipse of the sun across Europe is published by the Academy of Sciences for astronomers and navigators.

Medicine

America’s first medical society is formed in New London, Connecticut.

Medicine

Claudius Aymand (1660-1740) performs the first successful appendectomy.

Medicine

Epidemic: A smallpox epidemic breaks out in Massachusetts.

Technology

The technology of printing is established in all 13 colonies.

Education

Frederick the Great (1712-1786) establishes village schools in Prussia.

Ideas

Voltaire (1694-1778) writes his "Treatise on Tolerance."

Adams, Abigail

A smallpox epidemic interferes with the wedding plans of John Adams and Abigail Smith; John has himself inoculated—a risky procedure—but has only mild effects from the inoculation.

Economics

The first Chambers of Commerce are established in New York and New Jersey.

Discovery

Charles Mason (1730-1787) and Jeremiah Dixon(1733-1779) begin surveying the Mason-Dixon line.

Social Issues

Slavery: The beginning of the free Negro tradition is seen in New England; there are 5214 Negroes in Massachusetts (out of a total population of 235,810).

Politics

At a town meeting in Boston, James Otis (1725-1783) raises the issue of taxation without representation and urges a united response to the recent acts imposed by England.

Government

Great Britain passes the Sugar Act to raise money to pay for the French and Indian War by taxing the colonies on lumber, food, molasses, and rum.

Medicine

Epidemic: A smallpox epidemic sparks the opening of two inoculation hospitals in the Boston area.

Inventions

James Watt (1736-1819) invents the condenser, the first step toward the steam engine.

Inventions

The spinning jenny is invented in England.

Technology

Pierre-Simon Fournier (1712-1768), French engraver and typographer, publishes a work on typefaces and printing.

Education

Higher Education: Brown University is founded in Providence, RI.

Ideas

American James Otis (1725-1783) publishes "The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved."

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Smith (1744-1818) marries John Adams (1735-1826) on October 25, at her father’s parsonage in Weymouth, Massachusetts; she is nineteen and he is twenty-nine.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Madison’s (1768-1849) father, John Payne, and her mother, Mary Coles Payne, apply to and are accepted into the Society of Friends (Quakers).

Economics

Boston merchants begin a boycott of British luxury goods.

Economics

The first permanent settlement (as a fur-trading post) is established by the French in St. Louis.

Daily Life

The practice of numbering houses is begun in London.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The "Connecticut Courant," perhaps the American newspaper in longest continuing publication, is established in Hartford, CT.

Religion

Dancing: The first minister of the Dutch Reformed Church preaches in New York City; he tries to have dancing banned in the colony.

Law

Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780) publishes "Commentaries on the Laws of England."

Politics

Delegates from nine colonies meet to draw up a declaration of rights and liberties.

Politics

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) presents seven Resolutions to the Virginia House of Burgesses, asserting that only the Virginia Assembly can legally tax Virginia residents; he says, “If this be treason, make the most of it.”

Politics

The Sons of Liberty is formed in many colonial towns; using violence and intimidation, its members eventually force all of the British stamp agents to resign and also stop many American merchants from ordering British goods.

Government

Parliament passes the Stamp Act, taxing all colonists on every paper purchase. In addition, the Quartering Act requires colonists to house and feed British troops.

Medicine

Higher Education: John Morgan (1736-1789) establishes the first medical school in America at the College of Philadelphia.

Inventions

James Watt (1736-1819) designs a steam engine that produces power much more efficiently than the Newcomen engine of 1712.

Technology

Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729-1799) suggests preserving food by means of hermetic sealing.

Education

Higher Education: A College of New Jersey (later, Princeton) student, William Patterson, founds the first college society of arts and letters in America.

Education

Public Education: Latin schools exist in at least 40 of 140 Massachusetts communities with more than 100 families.

Education

Curriculum for well-to-do young Southerners includes Latin, Greek, Hebrew, reading, writing, arithmetic-vulgar, plane geometry, surveying, Italian bookkeeping, and navigation.

Adams, Abigail

A daughter, Abigail – Nabby (1765-1813) – is born to Abigail and John Adams on July 14.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Madison‘s (1768-1849) parents, John Payne and Mary Coles Payne, move to North Carolina from Virginia.

Economics

Chocolate is first made at Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Economics

Philadelphia, with its agricultural exports, shipbuilding and iron forging, is the leading economic center of the American colonies.

Daily Life

The potato is the most popular foodstuff in Europe.

Daily Life

Newspapers: Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) begins "The Providence Gazette" in Rhode Island.

Sports

Horse Racing: Horse racing becomes popular in Maryland; the course at Annapolis is one of the best in the country.

Politics

New York residents continue to refuse to obey the Quartering Act.

Government

Great Britain repeals the Stamp Act but declares its right to tax the colonies.

Government

The New York legislature is suspended by the British crown.

Science

Henry Cavendish (1731-1810) discovers that hydrogen is less dense than air.

Medicine

The 8-volume "Physiological Elements of the Human Body," a milestone in medicine, is published by Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777).

Inventions

Johann Zumpe (1735-1800) builds the first pianoforte in England.

Education

Higher Education: Queen's College, later Rutgers University, is founded in New Jersey as a Dutch Reformed institution.

Arts and Letters

Literature: Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) writes "The Vicar of Wakefield," a novel.

Economics

Transportation: A stagecoach line between New York City and Philadelphia advertises itself as a “flying-machine;” in good weather, trips take two days.

Discovery

Charles Mason (1730-1787) and Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779) finish surveying the Mason-Dixon Line.

Daily Life

The first paved sidewalk is laid in Westminster, London.

Sports

The first regular fox-hunting group, The Gloucester Fox Hunting Club, is established in New Jersey.

Popular Culture

American Theatre: The first play on an American subject, "Ponteach," or "The Savages of America" is written by Major Robert Rogers (1731-1795).

Popular Culture

American Theatre: An early, permanent playhouse, the Southwark Theatre, is built in Philadelphia.

Religion

Catherine the Great (1729-1796) establishes freedom of worship in Russia.

Religion

The oldest surviving church in Manhattan, St. Paul’s Chapel, is constructed.

Politics

Boston residents agree not to import those items taxed by the Townshend Acts.

Government

With the Townshend Acts, Britain imposes taxes on imports of tea, glass, paper, and dyestuffs.

Government

Presidents: Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh President of the United States, is born in Waxhaw, South Carolina on March 15.

Government

Presidents: John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), sixth President of the United States, is born on July 11, in Massachusetts.

Science

Joseph Priestly (1733-1804) proposes an electrical inverse-square law.

Inventions

The astronomer David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) invents a planetarium.

Education

The first of the weekly numbers of the "Encyclopedia Britannica" is published; 100 are planned.

Education

Higher Education: King’s College in New York City opens the second of America’s medical schools.

Education

Austrian emperor Joseph II (1741-1790) and his mother, Maria Theresa (1717-1780), introduce educational reforms.

Arts and Letters

Essay: Adam Ferguson (1723-1816) publishes "An Essay on the History of Civil Society."

Adams, Abigail

A son, John Quincy (1767-1848), is born to John and Abigail Adams on July 11th.

Jackson, Rachel

Rachel Donelson (1767-1828), future wife of President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), is born in Virginia on June 15.

Economics

Women''s Firsts: Anne Catherine Hoof Green (c.1720-1775) takes over her late husband''s printing and newspaper business, becoming the first American woman to run a print shop.

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779) sails on the first circumnavigation of the world; he returns in June 1771.

Discovery

Starting in North Carolina, Daniel Boone (1734-1820) makes his first exploration west of the Appalachian Mountains, traveling along the present-day Kentucky-West Virginia border.

Popular Culture

American Theatre: The first professional production of a native play, 'The Prince of Parthia,' by Thomas Godfrey (1736-1763) is mounted in Philadelphia.

Religion

The Jesuits are expelled from Spain and France.

Politics

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) of Massachusetts writes a Circular Letter opposing taxation without representation.

Politics

Boston citizens refuse to quarter British troops.

Government

The Massachusetts Assembly is dissolved for refusing to assist in the collection of taxes.

Government

Native Americans: treaties are negotiated between Great Britain and the six nations of the Iroquois.

War

Revolutionary War: British troops sail to Boston, and two regiments come ashore to take up quarters in the city.

Medicine

Smallpox inoculations in Norfolk, VA cause riots.

Education

Higher Education: The medical school at Philadelphia College graduates its first physicians.

Arts and Letters

The Royal Academy is founded in London, with painter Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) as president.

Adams, Abigail

A second daughter, Susanna (1768-1770), is born December 28 to Abigail and John Adams. The Adams family moves to Boston.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne (1768-1849), future wife of President James Madison (1751-1836), is born on May 20 in Guilford County, North Carolina.

Monroe, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kortright (1768-1830), future Wife of President James Monroe (1758-1831), is born on June 30 in New York City, the first of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.

Economics

Sheet music is published and sold in Boston.

Economics

Anne Catherine Green (c.1720-1775) is formally appointed provincial printer for the province of Maryland.

Discovery

Explorer James Cook (1728-1779) investigates islands in the south Pacific, and observes a transit of Venus in order to determine the size of the solar system.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The "Boston Gazette" publishes “The Liberty Song,” possibly America''s first patriotic song.

Religion

The first Methodist Church is established in New York City.

Government

The Privy Council in London decides to retain the duty on tea in the American colonies.

Government

The Virginia Assembly is dissolved.

Government

San Diego is founded by Franciscan Friar Juniper Serra (1713-1784).

Science

Charles Bonnet (1720-1793) suggests an evolutionary theory.

Science

New mathematical symbols, such as pi are introduced by Leonhard Euler (1707-1783).

Science

David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) plots the orbits of Venus and Mercury.

Inventions

James Watt (1736-1819) patents his steam engine.

Inventions

Frenchman Nicholas Cugnot (1725-1804) builds a steam carriage.

Education

The Academie de Coiffure is established in France by Legros de Rumigny, who teaches hairdressing and wig-making skills.

Education

The first day nursery opens at Steintal, Alsace.

Education

Higher Education: Native American Education: Dartmouth College is established to educate Native Americans.

Jefferson, Martha

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) begins building Monticello in Albemarle County, Virginia.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne’s (1768-1849) father, John Payne, moves his wife and family back to his wife's family plantation at Cole's Hill, Virginia.

Economics

The first American-made printing fonts are produced by silversmith Abel Buell (1742-1822).

Economics

Henry William Stiegel (1729-1785) opens his glass works in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Discovery

Daniel Boone (1734-1820) explores the Cumberland Gap.

Daily Life

The first lightning rod conductors are installed on high buildings.

Government

The British Parliament repeals the Townshend Acts, but retains the duty on tea. The Quartering Act is not renewed.

War

Revolutionary War: The “Boston Massacre” occurs.

Medicine

John Warren and several other Harvard students form a society for the secret dissection of animals; this society later becomes the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Inventions

African American Inventors: Benjamin Bannecker (1731-1806) builds a wooden clock that keeps accurate time for more than 50 years.

Education

Higher Education: The College of Charleston is established in South Carolina as the first municipal college.

Education

Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) publishes a mathematics textbook, "Introduction to Algebra."

Arts and Letters

Painting: Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) paints “The Blue Boy.”

Ideas

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) writes "Thoughts on the Causes of the Present Discontent."

Adams, Abigail

Susanna Adams (1767-1770), second daughter of Abigail and John Adams, dies at 13 months of age on February 4. It is widely reported that she was "sickly" from birth (usually a way of saying either that the cause was an unknown infection or that no one really knew what was wrong).

Adams, Abigail

A second son, Charles (1770-1800), is born to Abigail and John Adams on November 30. John Adams is asked to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre; he does, and they are acquitted.

Economics

U.S. Population: The American colonies’ population is estimated at 2.2 million.

Economics

"The New England Psalm Singer," by William Billings (1746-1800), marks the beginning of publishing of American compositions.

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779) discovers Botany Bay in Australia.

Discovery

James Bruce (1730-1794) discovers the source of the Blue Nile.

Science

Joseph Priestly (1733-1804) discovers that plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Science

Luigi Galvani (1737-1798) discovers the electrical nature of the nervous impulse.

Medicine

New York Hospital is founded.

Education

The Encyclopedia Britannica publishes its first edition.

Education

An edict in Spain requires the modernization of textbooks.

Ideas

The first issue of "Transactions," the journal of the American Philosophical Society, is published.

Economics

Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792) produces the first spinning mill in England.

Daily Life

Quaker Susanna Wright (1697-1784) acts as a legal counselor, unofficial magistrate, and physician for her neighbors in Pennsylvania.

Religion

The first separate Baptist Association was formed at a meeting in Orange County, Virginia.

Law

Slavery: An English court rules that a slave is free on landing in England.

Politics

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) forms the Committees of Correspondence in Massachusetts for action against Great Britain.

Politics

The Boston Assembly demands rights of colonies, threatens secession.

Science

Daniel Rutherford (1749-1819) and Joseph Priestly (1733-1804) discover nitrogen.

Science

Caroline Herschel (1750-1848), with her brother, William Herschel (1738-1822) assists in the first sightings of eight comets and 14 nebulae.

Science

Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) clarifies the basic principles of optics, acoustics, mechanics, and astronomy.

Inventions

John Hobday of Virginia, invents the threshing machine.

Education

The first schoolhouse west of the Allegheny Mountains is built in Schoenbrunn, Ohio, by Moravian missionaries.

Education

Higher Education: Education of Women: Women’s Colleges: Salem Academy is founded in North Carolina and is chartered as a college in 1866.

Arts and Letters

Painting: Charles Wilson Peale (1741-1827) completes a life-sized portrait of George Washington.

Jefferson, Martha

Martha "Patsy" Washington Jefferson Randolph (1772-1836), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, is born September 27.

Adams, Abigail

A third son, Thomas Boylston (1772-1832), is born to Abigail and John Adams on September 15.

Jefferson, Martha

Martha Wayles Skelton (1748-1782) marries Thomas Jefferson on New Year's Day, when she is 23.

Discovery

James Bruce (1730-1794) traces the Blue Nile to its confluence with the White Nile.

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779) leaves England on his second voyage; this time he approaches the Antarctic Circle.

Sports

The first military ski competitions are held in Norway.

Religion

The Inquisition is abolished in France.

Politics

The Virginia House of Burgesses appoints a Provincial Committee of Correspondence.

Politics

The Boston Tea Party takes place, dumping 340 chests of tea into Boston harbor in a protest against the duty on tea.

Government

Presidents: William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), 9th Presdident of the United States, is born on February 9 in Berkeley, Virginia.

Medicine

Mental Health Movement: An early mental hospital, the Public Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds, opens in Williamsburg, VA.

Education

Museums: The Charleston (VA) Library Society opens the first American museum of natural history.

Arts and Letters

Drama: Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) writes the play, "She Stoops to Conquer."

Arts and Letters

Poetry: Women''s Firsts: Women''s Firsts: Black poet Phillis Wheatley (c.1753-1784) publishes "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," the first published works by an African American poet.

Arts and Letters

Dance: A dance class begun in Moscow later becomes the Bolshoi Ballet Company.

Washington, Martha

Martha "Patsy" Parke Custis (1754-1773), second daughter of Martha Washington and John Parke Custis, and stepdaughter of George Washington, dies suddenly of epilepsy on June 19.

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Adams (1744-1818) establishes a friendship with Mercy Warren (1728-1814), sister of James Otis (1725-1783).

Economics

Transportation: Oliver Evans (1755-1819) proposes steam-powered “horseless carriage.”

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779), captains the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle.

Daily Life

Dancing: The waltz becomes fashionable in Vienna.

Daily Life

310 street lamps are installed and kept lighted in Boston from October to May.

Religion

Pope Clement XIV (1705-1774) dissolves the Jesuit Order.

Religion

The first annual conference of American Methodists meets in Philadelphia.

Politics

The Virginia House of Burgesses calls a Continental Congress to meet at Philadelphia.

Government

General Thomas Gage (1721-1787) arrives from England to be Royal Governor of Massachusetts.

Government

Parliament passes the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts); the port of Boston is closed.

War

Revolutionary War: George Washington (1732-1799) orders a military campaign against the Iroquois.

Science

Johann G. Gahn (1745-1818) isolates manganese.

Science

Karl W. Scheele (1742-1786) discovers chorine and barium.

Medicine

Austrian physician Franz Mesmer (1734-1815) uses hypnosis for health purposes.

Medicine

Native Americans: Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) describes Indian medical practices.

Inventions

Scotsman James Watt (1736-1819) builds first "modern" stationary steam engine

Education

Swiss educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) founds a school for orphaned and neglected children in Zurich (Switzerland).

Education

Education of Women: Leonhard Usteri founds the first school for girls in Zurich, Switzerland.

Ideas

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) writes his first important work, "A Summary View of the Rights of British America."

Washington, Martha

Jacky Custis (1755-1781) leaves King's College to marry Eleanor Calvert of Maryland and settle at Abingdon, his estate up the river from Mount Vernon.

George Washington attends the First Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, as a delegate from the Virginia colony.

Adams, Abigail

John Adams (1735-1826) goes to the first Continental Congress.

Jefferson, Martha

Jane Randolph Jefferson (1774-1775), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, is born on April 3.

Economics

English silversmith Hester Bateman (c. 1709-1794) registers her hallmark in London’s guildhall.

Daily Life

Magazines: The Royal American Magazine is the first to use illustrations regularly, some engravings contributed by Paul Revere (1735-1818).

Sports

Cricket: The rules for cricket are first drawn up.

Religion

The Quebec Act, to secure Canada’s loyalty to Great Britain, establishes Roman Catholicism in Canada.

Religion

Anne Lee (1736-1784) of Massachusetts settles in New York to begin a spiritualist revival (the Shakers).

Government

Native Americans: The Continental Congress establishes a Committee on Indian Affairs, appointing commissioners to create peace treaties with the Indians.

War

Revolutionary War: England hires 29,000 German mercenaries for war in North America.

War

Revolutionary War: Fort Ticonderoga is captured from the British.

War

Revolutionary War: The American Revolution begins on April 19, with the battles at Lexington and Concord; the Battle of Bunker Hill follows shortly.

War

Revolutionary War: George Washington becomes Commander-in-Chief, a navy is authorized.

Science

Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) discovers hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.

Medicine

Digitalis is used for the first time as a diuretic in dropsy (water retention in the body).

Medicine

Epidemics: A world-wide epidemic of influenza occurs.

Inventions

James Watt (1736-1819) perfects his invention of the steam engine.

Inventions

David Bushnell (1742-1824) invents a one-man, hand-operated submarine, the “American Turtle.”

Ideas

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) writes his “Speech on Conciliation with America.”

Ideas

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) gives his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

Washington, Martha

George Washington (1732-1799) attends the Second Continental Congress, where he accepts command of the Continental Army. In December, Martha (1731-1802) joins him at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jefferson, Martha

Jane Randolph Jefferson (1774-1775), second daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, dies at seventeen months in September.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne (1768-1849) attends school with her brothers at the Cedar Creek Friends meetinghouse in Virginia.

Adams, Louisa

Louisa Catherine Johnson (1775-1852), future wife of President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), is born in London on February 12. She is the first First Lady to be born outside of the United States.

Harrison, Anna

Anna Tuthill Symmes (1775-1864), future wife of President William Henry Harrison ((1773–1841) is born in Flatbrook, New Jersey on July 25.

Economics

American Money: American colonists issue paper currency for the Continental Congress to finance the Revolutionary War.

Economics

The colonies supply nearly 15% of the world’s iron.

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779) returns from his second voyage.

Daily Life

The song “Yankee Doodle” becomes popular as a rallying song to taunt the British.

Daily Life

Women’s Firsts: Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) became the first woman postmaster in the country (in Baltimore).

Sports

Native Americans: Indians in Florida are described as playing lacrosse, using a deerskin ball and deerskin nets on sticks.

Popular Culture

Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) appears for the first time at the Drury Lane Theatre in London.

Popular Culture

American Theatre: Colonial government regulations curb sport and entertainment during the Revolution; theatres close.

Social Issues

Slavery: Thomas Paine (1737-1806) writes "African Slavery in America."

Reform

Abolition Movement: The first abolition society in the U.S. is organized in Philadelphia by Anthony Benezet (1713-1784); Benjamin Franklin becomes its president in 1787.

Reform

Women''s Rights Movement: American political philosopher Thomas Paine (1737-1806) proposes women’s rights in an article in the Pennsylvania Magazine.

Government

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by The Continental Congress, is signed on July 4.

Government

The Second Continental Congress names the new nation the United States of America.

War

Revolutionary War: The British army occupies New York City.

War

Revolutionary War: George Washington (1732-1799) crosses the Delaware River, defeating the Hessian troops at Trenton, NJ.

Education

Higher Education: Phi Beta Kappa is founded at the College of William and Mary.

Arts and Letters

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) writes "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Ideas

Adam Smith (1723-1790) writes "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations."

Ideas

Thomas Paine’s (1737-1806) "Common Sense" is published.

Washington, Martha

Again, Martha Washington joins her husband at his headquarters in New York. She lends her name to a formal effort to recruit more women to volunteer on behalf of the Continental Army, especially to sew uniforms and knit warm clothes for the troops.

Adams, Abigail

(1744-1818) writes a letter to John in which she tells him to “remember the ladies” when writing the Declaration of Independence.

Economics

Transportation: Railroad History: English tram road is laid down with cast iron angle bars on timber ties.

Discovery

James Cook’s (1728-1779) third voyage to the Pacific begins.

Discovery

Franciscan friars Dominguez and Escalante (1769–1779) explore route from New Mexico to California.

Daily Life

Disasters: Fire destroys most of the old parts of New York City.

Religion

San Francisco is established by Spanish missionaries.

Social Issues

Native Americans: Cherokee leader Nancy (or Nanye’hi) Ward (c. 1738-1824) heads the Woman’s Council and sits as a member of the Council of Chiefs.

Reform

Women's Suffrage Movement: New Jersey grants women the right to vote (revoked in 1807).

Government

The Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

Government

American Flag: On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passes the first Flag Act which states: "That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

War

Revolutionary War: The Marquis de Lafayette’s (1757-1834) French volunteers arrive in America.

War

Revolutionary War: British General John Burgoyne (1722-1792) is defeated and surrenders to the Americans at Saratoga, NY.

Science

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier (1743-1794) proves that air consists mainly of oxygen and nitrogen, and coins the term oxygen.

Medicine

George Washington (1732-1799) orders his soldiers to be inoculated against smallpox.

Arts and Letters

Drama: Playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) writes the comedy "The School for Scandal."

Washington, Martha

Martha spends some time in her husband’s camp in Morristown, Pennsylvania.

Jefferson, Martha

The only Jefferson son was born May 28 and died a short while later on June 14. Over the course of time, this child's name has been lost.

Economics

Women''s Firsts: Baltimore postmaster Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) is the first person to print the Declaration of Independence.

Daily Life

Women’s Firsts: Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) became the first printer to offer copies of the Declaration of Independence that included the signers' names.

Religion

The New Testament of the Bible is published in English for the first time in America.

Religion

The chapel of the San Juan Capistrano mission, the oldest building still in existence in California, is built.

Social Issues

Slavery: Vermont abolishes slavery, becoming the first colony to do so.

Social Issues

Civil Rights Movement: New York enfranchises all free propertied men regardless of color or prior servitude.

Government

Slavery: An Act of Congress prohibits the import of slaves into the U.S.

Government

Congress ratifies a treaty with France and rejects a British peace offer.

War

Revolutionary War: British Tories and Indians massacre inhabitants of Wyoming Valley, PA and Cherry Valley, NY.

War

Revolutionary War: Mary McCauley (1754-1832) (Molly Pitcher), carries water to American soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth; she then mans her husband’s cannon when he is killed.

Medicine

William Brown (1748-1792), Virginia physician, publishes "Pharmacopoeia," a guide to medicines and drugs.

Inventions

Joseph Bramah (1748-1814) from Yorkshire constructs an improved water closet (toilet).

Education

Phillips Andover Academy is founded in Massachusetts, with a broader curriculum than the Latin Grammar School.

Washington, Martha

During the bitter winter at Valley Forge, Martha Washington endeared herself to the soldiers as she brought food and warm clothing to the freezing men and worked hard to get local women to do the same.

Adams, Abigail

A sixth child is stillborn to Abigail (1744-1818) and John Adams (1735-1826).

Jefferson, Martha

Mary "Polly" "Maria" Jefferson (1778-1804), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, is born on August 1.

Economics

American Money: The dollar sign ($) is created by Oliver Pollack.

Discovery

James Cook (1728-1779) discovers Hawaii (then called the Sandwich Islands).

Social Issues

Native Americans: Frances Slocum (1773-1847) is captured by Delaware Indians; she is discovered in 1835 but refuses to return to her family, preferring to die where “the Great Spirit will find me.”

Social Issues

Slavery: Rhode Island forbids the removal of slaves from the state.

Social Issues

Slavery: Virginia prohibits the importation of slaves.

War

Revolutionary War: John Paul Jones (1747-1792) makes his famous statement, “I have not yet begun to fight!” aboard the American warship Bonhomme Richard.

War

Revolutionary War: The British surrender to Americans at Vincennes.

Medicine

Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729-1799) studies the role of semen in fertilization.

Education

Higher Education: Under Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), William and Mary College creates schools of medicine, law and modern languages, and pioneers in a system allowing students to choose courses.

Education

Public Education: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) proposes a two-track educational system, with different tracks in his words for "the laboring and the learned." Scholarship would allow a very few of the laboring class to advance, Jefferson says, by "raking a few geniuses from the rubbish."

Daily Life

The first “velocipedes” (bicycles) appear in Paris.

Daily Life

Political cartooning blossoms in England with satires of King George III (1738-1820) drawn by James Gillray (1756-1815).

Sports

Horse Racing: Quarter-mile horse races become popular around Charlottesville, VA.

Sports

Horse Racing: The Derby is established at Epsom racetrack in England.

Religion

John Murray (1741-1815) establishes the First Universalist congregation at Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Religion

The Great Awakening: Olney Hymns are published; it includes the original form of “Amazing Grace,” written by John Newton (1725-1807), a converted slave trader.

Government

The capital of Virginia is moved to Richmond.

Science

The American Academy of Sciences is founded in Boston.

Medicine

The Philadelphia Humane Society is established to teach first aid (reviving drowning victims). Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) proposes mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Inventions

The circular saw is invented by Gervinus.

Inventions

Scheller invents the first fountain pen.

Technology

Battery Technology: The modern battery development dates as far back as the late 18th century. The cause was championed by the work carried out by Luigi Galvani (1737-1798) from 1780 to 1786.

Jefferson, Martha

Lucy Elizabeth I (1780-1781), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, is born on November 3.

Economics

Population: U.S. population is estimated at 2.7 million.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The first Sunday newspapers appear in London.

Daily Life

Dancing: The bolero, a lively Spanish dance, is introduced by Sebastian Cerezo.

Sports

Cricket: The first six-seamed cricket ball is manufactured in England.

Social Issues

Slavery: Delaware makes it illegal to enslave imported Africans.

Social Issues

Slavery: Pennsylvania begins gradual emancipation of slaves.

Social Issues

Slavery: Women''s Firsts: Elizabeth Freeman (1742-1829), great-grandmother of W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) and the first slave to be emancipated in the American colonies is given her freedom in Massachusetts.

Government

Thomas Barclay (1728-1793) is appointed as the first diplomat of the Continental Government, representing the new nation in France.

War

Revolutionary War: The American Revolution ends when British General Charles Cornwallis (1738-1805) surrenders to General George Washington (1732-1799) at Yorktown, Virginia.

Science

Astronomer William Herschel (1738-1822) discovers the planet Uranus.

Education

Johann Pestalozzi (1747-1827) writes his educational aims in the novel, "Leonard and Gertrude."

Washington, Martha

John "Jacky" Parke Custis (1754-1781), second son of Martha Washington and stepson of George Washington, dies of dysentery while serving under Washington during the Revolutionary War. The Washingtons take his two younger children, George Washington Parke Custis and Eleanor (Nelly) Custis, to raise.

Jefferson, Martha

Lucy Elizabeth I (1780-1781), fourth daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, dies 5 months after birth on April 15, perhaps as a result of exposure to wintry cold as she fled with her family from the British.

Economics

Blue laws get their name in New Haven, CT, when a town ordinance printed on blue paper prohibits work on Sunday.

Economics

Construction begins on the Siberian highway.

Economics

The Bank of North America is chartered.

Economics

American Money: Also to support the Revolutionary War, the continental Congress charters the Bank of North America in Philadelphia as the nation's first "real" bank.

Religion

Franciscan monks settle at Los Angeles.

Government

The Great Seal of the United States is adopted.

Government

Presidents: Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), 8th President of the United States, is born on December 5 in Kinderhook, New York.

War

Preliminary peace negotiations between England and the United States occur in Paris.

War

Congress passes a national conscription act to require “each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the republic” to serve in the U.S. militia.

Medicine

Higher Education: Harvard Medical school opens.

Inventions

James Watt (1736-1819) invents a double-acting rotary steam engine.

Technology

Hot Air Balloons: The Montgolfier brothers, Joseph (1740-1810) and Jacques (1745-1799), build an hot air balloon.

Education

Catholic Education: The first Catholic parochial school is founded by St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Philadelphia.

Arts and Letters

The Royal Irish Academy is founded in Dublin.

Jefferson, Martha

Lucy Elizabeth II (1782-1784), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, is born on May 8.

Jefferson, Martha

Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (1748-1782), wife of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), dies on September 6 at Monticello. She is the first First Lady to die before her husband was elected to office.

Economics

The Bank of North America is established in Philadelphia.

Reform

Temperance Movement: A Town Meeting in Worcester, Massachusetts opposes a state liquor tax because it is felt that liquor is necessary for the morale of farm workers.

War

Revolutionary War: Great Britain recognizes the independence of the U.S. and the war is officially over with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

War

Revolutionary War: George Washington (1732-1799) resigns as Commander-in-Chief and the Continental Army is disbanded.

Science

Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) suggests that water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.

Inventions

John Broadwood (1732-1812) patents his piano pedals.

Inventions

D. Domenico Salsano invents the seismograph for measuring the strength of earthquakes.

Education

Higher Education: Enrollment at Yale College is 270.

Education

Education of Women: Choderlos de Laclos (1741-1803) publishes "De l’éducation des femmes" (On the Education of Women).

Education

Noah Webster (1758-1843) publishes "The American Spelling Book," called the “Blue-Backed Speller,” which helps standardize spelling of American English.

Arts and Letters

The first works of Ludwig van Beethoven’s (1770-1827) are published.

Washington, Martha

As the Revolutionary War ends, Martha (1731-1892) and George Washington (1732-1799) return to Mount Vernon.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Madison’s (1764-1849) father, John Payne, influenced by his Quaker tenets and desiring a better education for his children, frees his slaves, sells his plantation, and moves his family to Philadelphia.

Van Buren, Hannah

Hannah Hoes (1783-1819), future wife of President Martin Van Buren ((1782–1862), is born on March 8th in Kinderhook, New York. She is the first First Lady to be born an American citizen; all First Ladies before her were British subjects. She is also the second of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.

Economics

Population: Population of the U.S. is estimated at 2.4 million.

Daily Life

Newspapers: At the war's end, there are forty-three newspapers in print. The press plays a vital role in the affairs of the new nation; many more newspapers are started, representing all shades of political opinion.

Daily Life

Society of the Cincinnati, an elite American Revolutionary group, is established.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The first daily newspaper in the U.S., "The Pennsylvania Evening Post," begins publication.

Daily Life

Transportation: It takes Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) five days to travel from Philadelphia to Baltimore, about 90 miles.

Popular Culture

Hot Air Balloons: The first recorded manned flight in a hot air balloon takes place in Paris; the Montgolfier brothers pilot their paper and silk balloon for 22 minutes.

Social Issues

Slavery: Virginia emancipates those slaves who served in the colonial forces against Britain, provided that the slave's master gives permission.

Social Issues

Slavery: Affluent free blacks in New Orleans, Louisiana, organize the Perseverance, Benevolence and Mutual Aid Association to support their own interests and assist the poor.

Government

Slavery: Congress narrowly defeats Thomas Jefferson’s (1743-1826) proposal to ban slavery in new territories after 1800.

Government

Presidents: Zachary Taylor (1784-1950), 12th President of the U.S., is born November 24, near Barboursville, Virginia.

Government

North Carolina cedes its western lands to the U.S. The state of Franklin (present-day east Tennessee) exists until 1888, when settlers accept renewed jurisdiction of North Carolina.

War

Revolutionary War: The U.S. ratifies the treaty with England ending the Revolutionary War.

Medicine

Johann von Goethe (1749-1837) discovers the human intermaxillary bone.

Inventions

Swiss inventor Aimé Argand (1755-1803) designs an oil burner.

Inventions

Joseph Bramah (1748-1814), English engineer, invents a pick-proof lock.

Education

Special Education: The first school for the blind is established in Paris.

Education

Higher Education: King’s College in New York City becomes Columbia University.

Ideas

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) publishes "Notes on Virginia."

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Adams (1744-1818) joins husband, John (1735-1826), in Paris, where he is an ambassador.

Jefferson, Martha

Lucy Elizabeth II (1782-1784), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, dies October 13 from the "complicated evils of teething, worms and hooping cough."

Economics

The "Empress of China" sails from Salem, Massachusetts to Canton, China, establishing a route for the New England-China trade.

Daily Life

The first political cartoons by Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) are published.

Daily Life

Magazines: "Gentlemen and Ladies’ Town and Country Magazine" begins publication as does "The American Mercury."

Sports

Deer hunting at night in the Carolinas is made a misdemeanor because of the accidental slaughter of many cows and horses.

Popular Culture

Hot Air Balloons: Vincent Lunardi (1759-1806) first ascends in a hot air balloon in England.

Popular Culture

Hot Air Balloons: Elisabeth Thible becomes the first woman to go aloft as a passenger in a hot air balloon over Lyons, France.

Religion

The first American bishop for the colonies is appointed.

Religion

The Great Awakening: John Wesley (1702-1791) publishes his Deed of Declaration, and Weslayan Methodism is chartered.

Religion

Women''s Firsts: Hannah Adams (1755-1832), the first American woman to support herself as a writer, publishes "An Alphabetical Compendium of the Various Sects."

Government

Congress passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 (Northwest Ordinance).

Government

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) becomes Minister to France and John Adams (1735-1826) becomes Minister to Great Britain.

Inventions

Chlorine bleach is invented.

Inventions

The steam-powered loom is invented.

Education

The London Society for the Establishment of Sunday Schools is founded.

Education

Public Education: The Northwest Ordinance stimulates the establishment of public schools through land grants by stipulating that certain amounts of land must be set aside for public education purposes.

Ideas

Hot Air Balloons: Philip Freneau (1752-1832) suggests that hot air balloons could be used to travel to other planets.

Adams, Abigail

Abigail Adams (1744-1818) continues as a diplomatic wife in London when John (1735-1826) is appointed the first U.S. minister to Great Britain.

Economics

American Money: The dollar becomes the official currency of the United States.

Economics

Ann Timothy holds the post Printer to the State of South Carolina.

Economics

Transportation: Regular stagecoach routes linking New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia begin operations.

Popular Culture

Hot Air Balloons: The first hot air balloon flight across the English Channel takes place.

Social Issues

Slavery: New York passes a gradual emancipation law, prohibits the importation of slaves, and allows masters to manumit slaves without posting bonds.

Social Issues

Slavery: Virginia deems any person with black blood to be a mulatto and declares that the use of the term Negro is understood to include mulattos.

Science

German chemist M. H. Klaproth (1743-1817) discovers uranium.

Medicine

Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) suggests that some illnesses may be psychosomatic.

Medicine

Pennsylvania Hospital opens an outpatient dispensary, a forerunner of free clinics.

Inventions

American inventor James Rumsey (c.1743-1792), designs the first mechanically driven boat.

Education

Education of Women: A government boarding school for girls is founded in Vienna for the education of teachers and governesses.

Education

Museums: The Philadelphia Museum is founded by Charles Wilson Peale (1741-1827).

Arts and Letters

Poetry: Robert Burns (1759-1796) publishes "Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect."

Arts and Letters

Opera: Mozart’s (1756-1791) "The Marriage of Figaro" is produced in Vienna.

Monroe, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kortright (1768-1830) marries James Monroe (1738-1851) in February when she is seventeen.

Monroe, Elizabeth

Eliza Kortright Monroe (1786-1835), daughter of President James Monroe and Elizabeth Monroe, is born.

Economics

Debt-ridden farmers in western Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays (c.1745-1825), revolt against the state government, protesting high taxes, shortage of money, and insistent creditors. Shays’ Rebellion is crushed in 1787.

Economics

The first ice cream is made commercially in New York City.

Sports

Golf: The Charleston, NC Golf Club is established.

Sports

Mt. Blanc in the Alps is climbed for the first time.

Religion

A collection of sacred music for schools is the first book in the U.S. published with moveable type.

Religion

The Religious Freedom Act abolishes religious tests for voting in Virginia.

Social Issues

Native Americans: The U.S. establishes first Native American reservation and policy of dealing with each tribe as an independent nation.

Politics

A constitutional convention meets in Philadelphia to frame a Constitution; the Constitution of the U.S. is signed.

Government

New State: Delaware ratifies the Constitution and becomes the 1st state in the Union; Pennsylvania is 2nd state in the Union; New Jersey becomes the 3rd.

Government

Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

Government

National Capital: The new Constitution provides the the creation of a separate national capital, and the search for a site begins.

Inventions

American inventor John Fitch (1743-1798) launches a steamboat on the Delaware River.

Education

Higher Education: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia opens.

Education

Children''s Books: The first American edition of "Mother Goose Rhymes" is published by Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831

Arts and Letters

Mozart (1756-1791) composes "Don Giovanni;" it premieres in Prague.

Ideas

John Adams (1735-1826) writes "A Defense of the Constitution of Government of the U.S.A."

Ideas

James Madison (1751-1836) writes "The Vices of the Political System of the United States."

Washington, Martha

George Washington (1732-1799) attends a concert given by Alexander Reinagle (c.1750-1809), finest pianist in the U.S. at the time; he later engages Reinagle to give music lessons to his daughter.

Economics

The first American cotton mill opens in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Daily Life

One of the first non-religious song books, A Select Collection of the Most Favorite Scots Tunes, is published in the U.S. by Alexander Rienagle.

Religion

Lucy Wright (1760-1821), successor to Ann Lee, dominates the period of the Shaker society’s greatest growth.

Religion

Black preacher Richard Allen (1760-1831) founds the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Reform

Abolition Movement: The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade is formed by British Quakers.

Government

New State: Georgia ratifies the new Constitution and becomes the 4th state admitted to the Union; Connecticut becomes the 5th; Massachusetts is the 6th; Maryland is the 7th; South Carolina is the 8th; New Hampshire is the 9th; Virginia is the 10th; New York is the 11th.

Government

National Capital: New York City becomes the federal capital of the U.S.

Government

National Capital: Maryland and Virginia give land for a new federal capital.

Science

The Marquis Pierre Simon de Laplace (1749-1827) writes "Laws of the Planetary System."

Medicine

Mobs riot in New York and Boston protesting the use of cadavers for dissection in medical schools.

Inventions

Andrew Meikle (1719-1811), Scottish millwright, patents a thrasher for removing husks from grain.

Education

Hannah More (1745-1833) opens a school for illiterates in England and receives much opposition for educating laborers.

Education

Public Education: The Constitution gives the power to establish schools and license teachers to individual states rather than to the federal government.

Ideas

"The Federalist Papers" are published.

Ideas

Emmanuel Kant (1724-1804) writes "A Critique of Pure Reason."

Adams, Abigail

Abigail (1744-1818) and John Adams (1735-1826) return to Braintree, MA from abroad.

Taylor, Margaret

Margaret “Peggy” Mackall Smith (1788-1852), future wife of President Zachary Taylor (1784–1850), is born in Calvert County, MD on September 21.

Economics

"Northwest America," the first American ship built on the west coast, is launched.

Daily Life

Crime and Punishment: Botany Bay in Australia becomes an English penal colony.

Daily Life

The first hortensia and fuchsia are imported to Europe from Peru.

Daily Life

Disasters: Fire destroys more than 800 buildings in New Orleans.

Social Issues

Slavery: New York passes a new comprehensive slave law, confirming that all current slaves are slaves for life.

Social Issues

Slavery: Connecticut and Massachusetts forbid residents from participating in the slave trade.

Law

The Federal Judiciary Act creates the Supreme Court.

Law

Chief Justices: President George Washington (1732-1799) nominates John Jay (1745-1829) as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on September 24th. The Senate confirms the appointment on September 26th. After serving as Chief Justice for five years, Jay resigns from the Supreme Court on June 29, 1795. He is elected Governor of New York in 1796.

Law

The Constitution of the United States goes into effect; the first ten amendments to the Constitution are introduced by the Congress.

Politics

George Washington (1732-1799) is elected President of the U.S., and John Adams (1735-1826)is elected Vice President.

Politics

First Political Parties: The Federalist Party is formed.

Politics

Tammany (Hall) is founded in New York City.

Politics

Political buttons first appear.

Government

New State: North Carolina ratifies the Constitution and becomes the 12th state admitted to the Union.

War

French Revolution: The French Revolution begins.

Medicine

Edward Holyoke (1728-1829), physician, publishes life expectancy table showing the Americans live longer than Europeans.

Inventions

Englishman William Jessup designs first wagons with flanged wheels.

Education

Higher Education: Georgetown University is established in what is now Washington, D.C.

Education

The first modern chemistry textbook, "Elements of Chemistry," is published by Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794); all illustrations are provided by his wife, Marie.

Education

One of the earliest complaints about a textbook is made by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison against a geography book written by Jedidiah Morse, who object to the popular text’s characterization of the young men of Virginia, as “gamblers, cockfighters, and horse-jockies”.

Ideas

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), English barrister, publishes "An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation."

Washington, Martha

Martha Washington (1731-1802) becomes the nation’s first First Lady. She does not attend her husband''''s presidential inauguration, but joins him several weeks later in New York City, the nation''s first capital.

Adams, Abigail

John Adams (1735-1826) becomes Vice President; serves two terms under George Washington.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Paine’s (1764-1849) father loses his business in Philadelphia and is expelled from the Pine Street Monthly Meeting for failure to pay his debts.

Economics

Christopher Colles (c.1738-1821) publishes the first American road map.

Economics

Women''s Firsts: Mary Katherine Goddard (1738-1816) opens a Baltimore bookstore, probably the first woman in America to do so.

Daily Life

Chrysanthemums are introduced to Britain from the Orient.

Daily Life

Holidays: Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a national holiday for the first time.

Daily Life

Magazines: The first periodical designed for children, "The Children’s Magazine," is published in Hartford, CT.

Reform

Abolition Movement: The Maryland Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes and Others Unlawfully Held in Bondage is founded.

Reform

Temperance Movement: The first organized temperance group is formed by 200 farmers in Connecticut, who pledge not to drink alcoholic beverages during farming season.

Law

The first session of the Supreme Court takes place.

Government

The Copyright Act is passed with the help of Noah Webster.

Government

Presidents: John Tyler (1790-1862), 10th President of the U.S., is born in Greenway, Virginia.

Government

Congress gives George Washington (1732-1799) the power to choose the site for the new capitol.

Government

U.S. President George Washington (1732-1799) delivers the first State of the Union address.

Government

New State: Rhode Island becomes the 13th state to ratify the Constitution and join the United States.

Medicine

Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) rages against the prevalent practice of bloodletting as a universal cure and founds homeopathy.

Inventions

A foot-powered dental drill is invented by John Greenwood (1760-1819).

Education

Education of Women: Catherine Macaulay’s (1731-1791) "Letters on Education" influences Mary Wollstonecraft’s thinking in "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" (1792).

Education

Public Education: Pennsylvania state constitution calls for free public education but only for poor children. It is expected that rich people will pay for their children's schooling.

Washington, Martha

The Washingtons move to Philadelphia when the capital does.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne (1764-1849) marries John Todd, Jr., a Quaker lawyer, on January 7.

Tyler, Letitia

Letitia Christian (1790-1842), first wife of President John Tyler (1790–1862), is born on her family''''s plantation, Cedar Grove, in Virginia on November 12.

Economics

The first American steam-powered cotton-processing machines are built, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S.

Economics

Population: The first national census shows the American population at 4 million—about 25% in New England, 25% in the Middle States, and 50% in the South.

Religion

The first Roman Catholic bishop consecrated in America is John Carroll (1735-1815) of Baltimore.

Religion

Women’s Firsts: Mother Bernardina Matthews (1732-1800) establishes a Carmelite convent near Port Tobacco, Maryland, and the first community of Roman Catholic nuns in the Thirteen Colonies.

Religion

The first Roman Catholic Bible is published in the U.S. by Mathew Carey.

Social Issues

Slavery: The First United States Census reveals that nearly 700,000 slaves live and toil in a nation of 3.9 million people.

Social Issues

Slavery: Congress denies naturalization to anyone who is not a free white.

Social Issues

Slavery: Congress advocates the expansion of slavery into the Southwest.

Social Issues

Immigration: The federal government requires two years of residency for naturalization.

Reform

Women''s Rights Movement: French philosopher Condorcet (1743-1794) writes "On the Admission of Women to Citizens’ Rights."

Government

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution (Bill of Rights) are ratified and become known as the Bill of Rights.

Government

Congress passes the first internal revenue law, a tax of 20 to 30 cents on a gallon of distilled spirits.

Government

New State: Vermont becomes the 14th state in the U.S., ending 14 years as a republic.

Government

National Capital: The design of Washington, DC is developed by Pierre-Charles L’Enfant (1754-1825); President Washington (1732-1799) chooses a site along the Potomic River for the federal district; Congress names it the Territory of Columbia and the capital the City of Washington.

Government

Presidents: James Buchanan (1791-1868), 15th President of the U.S., is born April 23 in Cove Gap (near Mercersburg), Pennsylvania.

Science

M.H. Klaproth (1743-1817) names the element titanium.

Education

Higher Education: The Philadelphia Academy becomes the University of Pennsylvania.

Arts and Letters

Opera: The first performance of Mozart’s (1756-1791) "Magic Flute" takes place in Vienna.

Arts and Letters

The first opera house in the U.S. opens in New Orleans.

Ideas

Thomas Paine (1737-1806) writes "The Rights of Man, Part I" in defense of the French Revolution.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne Todd’s father, John Payne, dies; her mother opens a boarding house in Philadelphia.

Jackson, Rachel

Rachel Donelson Robards (1767-1828) marries Andrew Jackson )1767-1845) in New Orleans.

Economics

The first successful sugar refinery is opened in New Orleans.

Economics

American Money: After adoption of the Constitution in 1789, Congress charters the First Bank of the United States until 1811 and authorizes it to issue paper bank notes to eliminate confusion and simplify trade.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The ratification of the Bill of Rights at last guarantees the freedom of the press, and America's newspapers begin to take on a central role in national affairs.

Daily Life

Dancing: The waltz becomes fashionable in England.

Reform

Women''s Rights Movement: The first French feminist magazine, Etrennes nationales des dames is founded on the principle that “women are equal to men in rights and in pleasure.”

Reform

Women's Rights Movement: Etta Palm d’Aelders (1743-1799) speaks before the French National Assembly, promoting equal education for girls and equal rights for women.

Politics

First Political Parties: The Democratic-Republican Party is formed under Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826).

Politics

George Washington (1732-1799) and John Adams (1735-1826) are re-elected President and Vice President of the U.S.

Government

National Capital: The cornerstone of the White House is laid.

Government

A U.S. mint is established in Philadelphia.

Government

New State: Kentucky becomes the 15th state in the U.S.

War

Congress passes a national conscription act to require “each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the republic” to serve in the U.S. militia.

War

Slavery: Congress excludes blacks from military service.

Arts and Letters

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) begins studying with Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) in Vienna.

Arts and Letters

Architecture: Irish-American architect James Hoban (1762-1831) begins to build the White House in Washington, DC.

Arts and Letters

Women’s Firsts: Dance: Suzanne Vaillande (1778-1826) appears in "The Bird Catcher," in New York, the first ballet presented in the U.S. She was also probably the first woman to work as a choreographer and set designer in the United States.

Ideas

Thomas Paine (1737-1806) writes "The Rights of Man, Part II."

Ideas

Education of Women: Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) writes "A Vindication of the Rights of Women."

Madison, Dolley

Dolley and John Todd, Jr. have a son, John Payne Todd (1792-1852) on February 29. He was later adopted by James Madison after Dolley and Madison were married.

Economics

Twenty-four merchants meet on what is now Wall Street, signing the Buttonwood Agreement, creating the New York Stock Exchange.

Economics

American Money: The federal monetary system is established with the creation of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, and dollar coins are minted for the first time in the U.S.

Discovery

The Columbia River is discovered by Captain Robert Gray (1755-1806).

Popular Culture

The French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," is composed by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle (1760-1836).

Religion

The Baptist Missionary Society is founded in London.

Reform

Women''s Rights Movement: Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) begins a series of essays titled "The Gleaner.”

Government

George Washington (1732-1799) and John Adams (1735-1826) are inaugurated as President and Vice President of the U.S.

Government

National Capital: The cornerstone of the Capital Building is laid by President Washington (1732-1799).

Government

Slavery: The Fugitive Slave Act compels escaped slaves to be returned to their masters.

War

French Revolution: The Reign of Terror begins.

Science

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829) links fossils with similar living organisms.

Medicine

Epidemics: Yellow fever kills 5,000 people in Philadelphia.

Inventions

Eli Whitney (1765-1825) invents the cotton gin.

Inventions

French engineer Claude Chappe (1763-1805) invents the mechanical semaphore.

Inventions

Women's Firsts: Mrs. Samuel Slater obtains the first patent given to a woman in the U.S. for a method of producing cotton thread.

Education

African American Education: Katy Ferguson (c.1774-1854), an ex-slave, founds her school for the poor in New York City; students include 28 Black children and 20 white children.

Education

Higher Education: African American Education: Lucy Terry Prince (1724-1821) defends her son’s admission to Williams College, eloquently presenting African-American people’s desire for an education.

Arts and Letters

The Louvre in Paris becomes a national art gallery.

Arts and Letters

Poetry: William Wordsworth (1770-1850) publishes his first poems.

Madison, Dolley

A second son, William Temple Todd (1793-1793), is born to Dolley and John Todd, Jr. Several months later, an epidemic of yellow fever takes the life of this baby, as well as that of his father and his paternal grandparents.

Economics

American Money: The first American coins are struck.

Daily Life

The first public zoo opens in Paris.

Daily Life

France becomes the first country to use the metric system.

Popular Culture

Hot Air Balloons: French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753-1809) makes the first hot air balloon flight over the North American continent.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is banned in France.

Law

The Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution, limiting the power of the federal courts, is passed by Congress.

Government

American Flag: The Act of January 13, 1794 states that15 stripes and 15 stars will be added to the flag after May 1795.

War

The U.S. Navy is established.

Science

Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), English physician, suggests the theory of evolution 50 years before his grandson, Charles Darwin (1809-1882) writes his own theory.

Inventions

The cotton gin is patented by Eli Whitney (1765-1825).

Technology

The first "telegraph"--a visual semaphore system--is developed by Claude Chappe (1763-1805) and established between Paris and Lille in France.

Education

Teacher Education: The Ecole Normale is founded in Paris to educate teachers.

Education

Higher Education: The world’s first technical college, the Ecole Polytechnique, opens in Paris.

Education

"Elements of Geometry," by French mathematician Adrien-Marie Legendre (1752-1833) becomes the standard geometry text in Europe and North America.

Ideas

Thomas Paine (1737-1806) writes "The Age of Reason."

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Payne Todd (1764-1849) is introduced to James Madison (1751-1836) by Aaron Burr (1756-1836) Madison and Dolley Todd are married on September 15 at her sister's estate in what is now West Virginia. Mrs. Madison is disavowed by the Quakers.

Jackson, Rachel

Rachel (1767-1828) and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) marry a second time in Nashville on January 17.

Economics

The “Whiskey Rebellion”—a protest over the excise tax place on liquor--occurs in Pennsylvania.

Daily Life

Duncan Phyfe (c.1768-1854), a cabinetmaker in New York, brings the elegant Sheraton and Regency furniture styles to the U.S.

Daily Life

Postal rates are usually paid by the person receiving the mail; amount is set by length of distance the mail travels.

Daily Life

Fashion: Men no longer powder their hair.

Popular Culture

The song, "Auld Lang Syne" is published; it was written by Robert Burns (1759-1796) in 1781.

Law

Chief Justices: President George Washington (1732-1799) nominates John Rutledge (1739-1800) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He serves in that position as a recess appointee for four months, but the Senate refuses to confirm him.

Law

The Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution, limiting the power of the federal courts, is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.

Government

The Naturalization Act establishes a five-year residence requirement for citizenship. Members of the nobility entering the U.S. must give up their titles.

Government

The Treaty of San Lorenzo between the U.S. and Spain draws the boundary with Florida and gives the U.S. the right to navigate the Mississippi River.

Government

Presidents: James Knox Polk, 11th President of the U.S., is born in Mecklanburg County, North Carolina.

Science

Martin H. Klaproth (1743-1817) names the element titanium.

Inventions

Robert Fulton (1765-1815) patents the first power-shovel for digging canals.

Technology

Francois Appert (1750-1841) designs a preserving jar for foods.

Education

Higher Education: The University of North Carolina, the first state university in the U.S., accepts its first student, Hinton James.

Education

Public Education: Connecticut sells its land in the Western territories for $1.2 million and uses the proceeds to establish a permanent school fund.

Arts and Letters

The American Academy of Fine Arts holds its first exhibition in Philadelphia.

Economics

Transportation: Railroad History: The first horse-drawn railroad appears in England.

Economics

The metric system is officially adopted in France.

Daily Life

Women’s Firsts: Anne Parrish establishes, in Philadelphia, the House of Industry, the first charitable organization for women in America.

Religion

Freedom of worship is declared in France.

Reform

Labor Movement: The Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (shoemakers) is founded, one of the earliest unions in the U.S.

Law

Chief Justices: President George Washington (1732-1799) nominates Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807)as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is immediately confirmed by the Senate as remains as Chief Justice until his resignation in 1800.

Politics

George Washington (1732-1826) refuses a third term, warns against the dangers of foreign entanglements.

Politics

John Adams (1735-1826)and Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) are elected President and Vice-President.

Government

New State: Tennessee becomes the 16th state in the U.S.

Science

Horace de Saussure (1740-1799) coins the term geology in his work Travels in the Alps.

Medicine

English physician Edward Jenner (1749-1823) introduces vaccination against smallpox.

Technology

James Finley (1768-1822) builds America’s first suspension bridge across Jacob’s Creek in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.

Technology

Battery Technology: From 1796 - 1799, Alessandro Volta (1745 – 1827) experimented with zinc and silver plates to produce electric currents at the Pavia University. Volta stacked the two to form a "pile", the first "dry" battery.

Arts and Letters

Literature: The first complete works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) are published in the U.S.

Harrison, Anna

Elizabeth "Betsey" Bassett Harrison Short (1796-1846), the oldest daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born September 29.

Economics

Zane’s Trace, which becomes one of the main routes traveled by migrants to the west, begins construction.

Daily Life

The elephant is brought to the United States from India.

Sports

Billiards is a popular game in the South.

Government

John Adams (1735-1826) and Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) are inaugurated as President and Vice-President of the United States.

Government

Tennessee Senator William Blount (1749-1800) becomes the first senator to be impeached.

War

The U.S.S. Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” is launched in Boston Harbor.

Medicine

The Royal Society in England rejects Edward Jenner’s (1749-1823) smallpox vaccination technique.

Technology

A washing machine is patented by Nathaniel Briggs.

Technology

America’s first iron plow is patented by Charles Newbold, amid rumors that the iron would poison the soil and increase weeds.

Technology

The vacuum bottle is designed.

Washington, Martha

Martha (1731-1802) and George (1732-1799) Washington retire to their home at Mount Vernon. Martha wrote to a friend, “The General and I feel like children just released from school.”

Madison, Dolley

James (1751-1836) and Dolley Madison (1764-1849) move from Philadelphia to their home at Montpelier, in Orange County, the Virginia piedmont.

Economics

One pound notes are issued for the first time by the Bank of England.

Sports

Hot Air Balloons: The first parachute jump from a balloon is made by Andre-Jacques Garnerin (1770-1823).

Religion

Ann Griffiths (1776-1805) joins the Methodists and begins composing hymns for them.

Religion

The Pocket Hymn Book, containing words but not music, is published; it is widely used at revival camp meetings.

Government

The Federalist majority in Congress adds nine years to the requirement for citizenship.

Government

Congress passes the Alien and Sedition Acts, permitting the arrest and deportation of any “dangerous” alien and restricting political opposition.

Government

The U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Marine Hospital is authorized.

Science

Louis Nicholas Vauquelin (1763-1829) discovers the element beryllium.

Medicine

Epidemics: A yellow fever epidemic kills over 2,000 people in Philadelphia.

Medicine

The English dermatologist, Robert Willan (1757 ~ 1812) recognizes psoriasis as an independent disease.

Inventions

German inventor Aloys Senefelder (1771-1834) invents lithography.

Inventions

Eli Whitney (1765-1825) invents a milling machine.

Inventions

Robert Fulton (1765-1815) invents a four-man, hand-operated submarine.

Education

Hannah More (1745-1833) is forced to close her school for working-class children on a trumped-up charge of being an unregistered meeting place for Dissenters.

Arts and Letters

Poetry: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is published by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834).

Ideas

Thomas R. Malthus (1766-1834) writes his "Essay on the Principle of Population."

Harrison, Anna

John Cleves Symmes Harrison (1798-1830), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born October 28.

Fillmore, Abigail

Abigail Powers (1798-1853), future wife of President Millard Fillmore (1800–1874), is born in Stillwater, New York, on March 13. She is the fourth of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.

Popular Culture

Joseph Hopkinson (1770-1842) writes the patriotic song, “Hail Columbia.”

Religion

Catholic women forced to do penance for kindling Sabbath fire for Jews.

Politics

The first U.S. printed ballots were authorized in Pannsylvania.

Government

Congress standardizes U.S. weights and measures.

Government

Gracie Mansion, home of New York City mayors, is completed.

Science

The Rosetta Stone is found near Rosetta, Egypt; when it is translated, it makes the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphics possible.

Technology

Airplanes: Sir George Cayley (1773-1857), a baronet in Yorkshire, near Scarborough, England, conceives a craft with stationary wings to provide lift and "flappers" to provide thrust. It also has a movable tail to provide control.

Education

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827) opens his school in Burgdorf, Switzerland.

Education

A 14-year-old boy graduates from Rhode Island College. Such ability among children is not uncommon; infants of 3 are sometimes taught to read Latin as soon as they are taught English.

Washington, Martha

George Washington (1732-1799), first President of the U.S., dies of a throat infection at his home at Mount Vernon.

Monroe, Elizabeth

J.S Monroe (1799-1801), the only son of President James Monroe and Elizabeth Monroe, is born.

Economics

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) describes American industry in "Report on the Subject of Manufactures."

Economics

Russia grants the Russian-American Company a monopoly of trade in Alaska.

Discovery

A perfectly preserved mammoth is found in Siberia.

Daily Life

The metric system is established in France.

Social Issues

Slavery: Virginia banishes white mothers of mulattos with their children.

Reform

Labor Movement: The first recorded use of the term scabs, used to refer to those who take the place of striking workers, occurs during a Philadelphia shoemakers’ strike.

Politics

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) is elected the 3rd President of the U.S. and Aaron Burr (1756-1836) is elected the 3rd Vice President.

Government

National Capital: Washington, DC is established as the capital of the United States; Congress meets there for the first time.

Government

The U.S. Congress passes the first bankruptcy law; founding father Robert Morris is released from debtors’ prison.

Government

Spain cedes the Louisiana territory to France.

Government

Congress divides the Northwest Territory into two territories, Indiana and Ohio.

Government

Presidents: Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), 13th President of the U.S., is born in Locke Township (now Summerhill), New York.

Science

William Herschel (1738-1822) discovers infrared light.

Medicine

Benjamin Waterhouse (1754-1846) gives the first smallpox vaccination in the U.S. to his son.

Medicine

Humphry Davy (1778-1829) announces the anaesthetic properties of nitrous oxide.

Inventions

Railroad History: Oliver Evans (1755-1819), an American, creates the earliest successful non-condensing high pressure stationary steam-engine

Inventions

Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) invents the electric battery.

Inventions

An iron-framed printing press is invented by Charles Stanhope (1753-1816), thus allowing large sheet printing.

Technology

Battery Technology: By 1800 Volta (1745-1827) had created the "crown of cups", a modified arrangement of zinc and silver discs dipped in a salt solution.

Education

Libraries: The Library of Congress is proposed by John Adams.

Arts and Letters

Poetry: William Wordsworth (1770-1850) begins the period known as European Romanticism.

Arts and Letters

Parson Weems (1759-1825) writes "The Life of Washington," creating a number of myths about the first American president.

Arts and Letters

C.B. Brown (1771-1810) publishes "Arthur Mervyn," a realistic description of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia that took the lives of Dolley Madison’s husband and infant son.

Adams, Abigail

John Adams (1735-1826) and Abigail Adams (1744-1818) are the first U.S. President and First Lady to actually live in the new capital, Washington, DC. Abigal is also the first wife of a president to live in the White House.

Adams, Abigail

Charles Adams (1770-1800), son of Abigail and John Adams, dies at age 30 of cirrhosis of the liver.

Harrison, Anna

Lucy Singleton Harrison Este (1800-1826), daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born in September.

Fillmore, Abigail

Abigail Powers' (1898-1853) father, a Baptist minister named Lemuel Powers, dies when she is two.

Economics

Population: The population of Washington, DC is 2,464 free citizens and 623 slaves.

Economics

Population: The second national census puts the U.S. population at 5.3 million, including more than 800,000 slaves.

Economics

William Young of Philadelphia is the first American shoemaker to make different shoes for the left and right feet.

Daily Life

Fireboats are in use in New York harbor.

Sports

Boxing: Bill Richmond (1763-1829), a former slave, becomes one of the first popular boxers.

Popular Culture

Mount Vernon Gardens becomes the site of the first summer theatre in the U.S.

Popular Culture

U.S. Marine Band gives its first concert near the future site of the Lincoln Memorial.

Religion

John Chapman (1774-1845) (Johnny Appleseed) begins spreading religious tracts and apple seeds in pioneer communities in the midwest.

Religion

The Church of the United Brethren in Christ is founded in the U.S.

Religion

The Boston Female Society for Missionary Purposes is founded to fund the education of missionaries, initially male, but later also female.

Social Issues

Slavery: A slave named Gabriel Prosser (1775-1800), believing himself called by God, organizes a plot to kill all whites in Virginia, sparing only Quakers, Methodists, and French. The conspirators meet under the pretense of holding religious meetings.

Reform

Elizabeth Peck Perkins (1735?-1807) founds the Boston Female Asylum, the first charitable institution for women there.

Reform

Utopian Movement: Robert Owen (1771-1858) takes over New Lanark mills in Scotland and begins social reforms there.

Law

Chief Justices: President John Adams (1735-1826) nominates John Marshall (1755-1835) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He serves for 34 years, longer than any other Chief Justice.

Government

Great Britain and Ireland unite, creating the United Kingdom; its flag is the Union Jack.

Government

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) presents his first annual message to Congress in writing.

Government

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Aaron Burr (1756-1836) are inaugurated as the 3rd President and Vice President of the U.S.

Government

National Capital: Congress takes jurisdiction over the District of Columbia.

War

North African War: The North African state of Tripoli declares war on the United States to compel the young nation to pay tribute to commerce-raiding Arab corsairs.

Science

The first asteroid is discovered by Italian monk and professor of astronomy Giussepe Piazzi (1746-1826).

Science

J.J. Lalande (1732-1807) catalogues 47,300 stars.

Science

Lamarck (1744-1829) develops a classification system for invertebrate animals.

Inventions

Robert Fulton (1765-1815), civil engineer, produces the first submarine, “Nautilis.”

Inventions

Richard Trevithick (1771-1833) invents the first steam powered locomotive (designed for roads).

Education

Catholic Education: The first Roman Catholic school in New York is established.

Education

Libraries: The Library of Congress is established by a vote of the Congress.

Education

The Royal College of Surgeons is founded in London.

Arts and Letters

In France Napoleon opened the Louvre to the public.

Ideas

German philosopher Friedrich von Schelling (1755-1829) writes "System of Transcendental Idealism," a treatise on the philosophy of nature, which influences the development of Romanticism in Europe.

Adams, Abigail

John (1735-1826) and Abigail (1744-1818) Adams retire to Braintree.

Madison, Dolley

James Madison (1751-1836) becomes Secretary of State and the Madisons move to the new capital, Washington, DC. Dolley Madison (1768-1849) finds herself a social leader in the city.

Madison, Dolley

Dolley Madison (1768-1849) becomes an unofficial White House hostess for Jefferson, whose wife, Martha, died in 1782.

Madison, Dolley

James Madison’s father dies; Madison inherits Montpelier.

Monroe, Elizabeth

J.S Monroe (1799-1801), the only son of President James Monroe and Elizabeth Monroe, dies on September 28 at age two. Cause of death is unknown.

Adams, Louisa

George Washington Adams (1801-1829), son of President John Quincy Adams and Louisa Adams, is born April 12.

Economics

Great Britain’s first complete census finds the population at 11 million, one quarter of it urban.

Discovery

Mastodon fossils are discovered on a New York farm, the first such fossils of the extinct mammal.

Discovery

Lewis and Clark: Lewis (1774-1811) is asked by President Jefferson (1743-1826) to be his secretary-aide.

Daily Life

Newspapers: The New York "Evening Post" is first published.

Religion

The “Plan of Union” permits Congregationalists and Presbyterian ministers to serve in each other’s churches, thus helping to spread Protestantism to frontier communities.

Religion

Catholics are excluded from voting in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Government

National Capitol: Congress passes an act calling for the establishment of a library within the U.S. capitol.

Government

Georgia cedes her western lands to the U.S., the last of the original states to do so.

War

Revolutionary War: The U.S. and Great Britain settle Revolutionary War claims for $2,664,000.

Science

Samuel Hutton explains the natural processes involved in changes in the earth’s crust.

Science

The role of capillaries in pumping blood is explained by Scottish physicist John Leslie.

Science

John Dalton (1766-1844) introduces atomic theory into chemistry.

Science

The term “biology” is coined by German naturalist Gottfried Treviranus (1776-1837).

Medicine

James Smith opens a clinic in Maryland that offers free smallpox vaccinations to the poor.

Education

Higher Education: The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is founded.

Education

Libraries: The Library of Congress issues its first catalog: total holdings, 964 volumes and 9 maps.

Education

Libraries: John Beckley (1757-1807) becomes the first Librarian of Congress; he is paid $2/day.

Ideas

Education of Women: German feminist Amalie Holst publishes "On the Capacity of Women for Higher Education."

Ideas

Daniel Webster (1782-1852) writes "The Rights of Neutral Nations in Time of War."

Washington, Martha

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731-1802) dies of “severe fever” on May 22 at Mt. Vernon.

Harrison, Anna

William Henry Harrison (1802-1838), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born September 3.

Economics

Merino sheep are imported to the U.S. from Spain.

Discovery

Matthew Flinders (1744-1814) lands on a 96-mile-long island south-west of Adelaide and slaughtered 31 kangaroos for a feast. This 3rd largest island off Australia was thus named Kangaroo Island.

Sports

Horse Racing: New York State prohibits public horse races, only allowing them at private jockey clubs.

Popular Culture

The first comic book, "The Wasp," is published.

Popular Culture

The first chess book, "Chess Made Easy," is published in Philadelphia.

Religion

"The Genius of Christianity," by Chateaubriand (1768-1848), attempts to answer the attacks of the Enlightenment by stressing its role in the growth of European culture.

Reform

Labor Movement: The first important labor law protecting children is passed in Great Britain.