On This Day

January 1779 in History

Events in History

  • Jan 11 Ching-Thang Khomba is crowned King of Manipur.

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 17 Captain James Cook's last notation in Discovery's ship's log

Explorer James Cook
Explorer
James Cook

AppointmentAppointment of Interest

Jan 18 John Dickinson is appointed a delegate for Delaware to the Continental Congress

Founding Father of the United States John Dickinson
Founding Father of the United States
John Dickinson

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 23 Charles Messier catalogs M56 (globular cluster in Lyra)

Astronomer Charles Messier
Astronomer
Charles Messier

Birthdays in History

  • Jan 1 William Clowes, English printer (d. 1847)
  • Jan 5 Stephen Decatur, American naval hero (War of 1812), born in Sinepuxent, Maryland (d. 1820)
  • Jan 5 Zebulon Pike, American brigadier general and explorer (Pike's Peak), born in Lamington, New Jersey (d. 1813)
  • Jan 15 Jean Coralli, French ballet producer & choreographer, born in Paris, France
  • Jan 24 Elizabeth Alexeievna (Louise of Baden), Russian tsarina (d. 1826)

Deaths in History

  • Jan 3 Claude Bourgelat, French veterinary surgeon, dies at 66
  • Jan 22 Claudius Smith, American Revolutionary War loyalist (b. 1736)
  • Jan 22 Jeremiah Dixon, English surveyor and astronomer, dies at 45