- Jan 7 1st US commercial bank, Bank of North America, opens in Philadelphia
- Jan 15 Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance, recommends to U.S. Congress establishment of decimal coinage and a national mint
- Feb 5 British garrison in Menorca (western Mediterranean) surrenders to French and Spanish fleet as part of the American Revolutionary War
Watt's Rotative Steam Engine
Feb 23 Engineer James Watt's patent for a rotary motion for the steam engine (his sun-and-planet gear) is granted
- Mar 8 Gnadenhutten Massacre - Ohio militia kills 90 Native American
- Mar 23 Novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses" (Dangerous Liaisons) by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is published by Durand Neveu
Marquess of Rockingham Prime Minister
Mar 27 Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain
- Apr 6 Rama I succeeds King Taksin of Siam (modern day Thailand), who is overthrown in a coup d'état
Battle at Les Saintes
Apr 12 Battle at Les Saintes: British fleet under Admiral George Rodney defeats the French fleet under Comte de Grasse off Dominica in the West Indies. Prevents a planned French and Spanish invasion of Jamaica.
Adams Secures Dutch Recognition
Apr 19 John Adams secures Dutch Republic's recognition of the United States as an independent government, a house he purchased in The Hague becomes America's first embassy
PM William Petty
Jul 4 William Petty becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain following the death of Charles Watson-Wentworth
- Jul 6 British-French sea battle at Negapatam (off India)
Abduction from the Seraglio
Jul 16 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)" premieres in Vienna with Mozart conducting
Event of Interest
Aug 7 Commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, creates two Honorary Badges of Distinction and a Badge of Military Merit (now the Purple Heart). First time military awards are presented to common soldiers.
Battle of the Combahee River
Aug 27 Battle of the Combahee River near Beaufort, South Carolina, American abolitionist John Laurens is killed leading the charge
Grand Assault on Gibraltar
Sep 13 The Grand Assault on Gibraltar by the allied French and Spanish fleets including ten floating batteries and land forces is heavily defeated by the British garrison with all of the floating batteries destroyed and allied casualties of 1,473 compared to only 83 for the British
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