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

Epidemic: A smallpox epidemic breaks out in Massachusetts.

Medicine

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

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

Discovery

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

Science

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

Science

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

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.

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.

Jefferson, Martha

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

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."

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.

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.

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.