On This Day

Events in History in 1782

  • 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 surrenders to French and Spanish fleet as part of the American Revolutionary War
  • Feb 5 Spanish take Minorca (western Mediterranean) from British
  • Feb 13 French fleet occupies St Christopher
  • Feb 21 US Congress resolves establishment of a US mint

InventionHistoric Invention

Feb 23 Engineer James Watt's patent for a rotary motion for the steam engine (his sun-and-planet gear) is granted

Inventor, Engineer and Chemist James Watt
Inventor, Engineer and Chemist
James Watt
  • Mar 8 Gnadenhutten Massacre - Ohio militia kills 90 indians
  • Mar 23 "Les Liaisons dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is published by Durand Neveu

Electoral defeatElection of Interest

Mar 27 Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain

British Prime Minister Charles Watson-Wentworth
British Prime Minister
Charles Watson-Wentworth
  • Apr 6 Rama I succeeds King Taksin of Siam (modern day Thailand), who is overthrown in a coup d'état

Victory in BattleBattle of the 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.
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The French flagship, the Ville de Paris on the right, in action against HMS Barfleur
The French flagship, the Ville de Paris on the right, in action against HMS Barfleur

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Apr 19 John Adams secures Dutch Republic's recognition of the United States as an independent government and house he purchased in The Hague, Netherlands became first American embassy.

2nd US President John Adams
2nd US President
John Adams
  • Jun 20 Congress approves Great Seal of the United States of America and the bald eagle as its symbol
  • Jul 1 American privateers attack Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Electoral defeatElection of Interest

Jul 4 William Petty becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain following the death of Charles Watson-Wentworth

British Prime Minister William Petty
British Prime Minister
William Petty
British Prime Minister Charles Watson-Wentworth
British Prime Minister
Charles Watson-Wentworth
  • Jul 6 British-French sea battle at Negapatam (off India)

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Aug 2 George Washington creates Honorary Badge of Distinction

First US President George Washington
First US President
George Washington
  • Aug 7 George Washington creates the Purple Heart medal (original name Badge of Military Merit) as commander of the Continental Army
  • Aug 14 Suriname forbids selling slave mothers without their babies

BattleBattle of Interest

Aug 27 Battle of the Combahee River near Beaufort, North Carolina, American abolitionist John Laurens is killed leading the charge

Soldier, Diplomat and Abolitionist John Laurens
Soldier, Diplomat and Abolitionist
John Laurens
  • Sep 16 Great Seal of the United States of America used for the first time
  • Nov 30 Britain signs agreement recognizing US independence
  • Dec 14 Charleston, South Carolina evacuated by British
  • Dec 29 1st nautical almanac in US published by Samuel Stearns, Boston

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