1774 CE

The colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations issues the first call for an "Intercolonial Congress" that eventually is set up as the Continental Congress. George Mason and George Washington found the Fairfax County Militia Association, a military unit independent of British control. The government of the Republic of Venice allows adventurer and ladies' man Giacomo Casanova to return home after a 17-year absence.

In the 1770s, the 18th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

February 6 – The Parlement of Paris votes a sentence of civil degradation, depriving Pierre Beaumarchais of all rights and duties of citizenship.source
22 February – the legal case of Donaldson v Beckett is decided in the House of Lords, denying the continued existence of a perpetual common law copyright and holding that copyright is a creation of statute and can be limited in its duration. This does permit authors to claim copyright in their own works.United Kingdom source
February 24 – The Province of Massachusetts Bay House of Representatives votes, 92 to 8, to impeach Superior Court Chief Justice Peter Oliver, but Provincial Governor Thomas Hutchinson refuses to allow the trial to proceed.source
March 10 – The Boston Journal makes the first reference to the "Stars and Stripes" flag to symbolize the American colonies, reporting that "The American ensign now sparkles a door which shall shortly flame from the skies."source
March 31 – Intolerable Acts: The British Parliament passes the Boston Port Act, closing the port of Boston, Massachusetts, as punishment for the Boston Tea Party.source
May 10 – Louis XVI becomes King of France, following the death of his grandfather, Louis XV.source
May 17 – The colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations issues the first call for an "Intercolonial Congress" that eventually is set up as the Continental Congress.source
June 22 – The Parliament of Great Britain passes the Quebec Act, setting out rules of governance for the colony of Quebec in British North America, enlarging its territory as far south as the Ohio River and west to the Mississippi River, in the area now occupied by the U.S. states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio and granting freedom of religion for Roman Catholics.source
July 21 – Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca with Russian victory, ending six years of war. The treaty gives Russia the right to intervene in Ottoman politics, to protect its Christian subjects.source
September 5 – The First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia.source
September 21 – George Mason and George Washington found the Fairfax County Militia Association, a military unit independent of British control.source
October 14 – The Continental Congress in America adopts the Declaration of Rights and Resolves, with 10 principles.source
October 20 – The First Continental Congress passes the Continental Association, a colony-wide boycotting of British goods. Theater performances in the American colonies are also halted, on the Congress's recommendation that the member colonies "discountenance and discourage all horse racing and all kinds of gaming, cock fighting, exhibitions of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments."source
October 26 – The first Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia.source
November 10 – 1774 British general election: Voting for the House of Commons concludes in Great Britain, and Lord North retains the office of Prime Minister as his Tory coalition wins 343 of the 558 seats. Henry Seymour Conway's Whig Party wins the other 215 seats.source
November 15 – The government of the Republic of Venice allows adventurer and ladies' man Giacomo Casanova to return home after a 17-year absence.source
November 20 – Daniel Boone retires from the Virginia colonial militia in order to devote his full time to establishing a settlement in Kentucky.source
November 30 – Thomas Paine, a native of England, arrives in America at the age 37 and soon becomes an influential advocate for the colonies' independence.source
November 30 – Parliament adjourns in Great Britain, but declines to authorize any action against the rebellious American colonies, despite an address the day before by King George III and Prime Minister North.source
December 6 – Empress Maria Theresa, the ruler of Austria, Hungary and Croatia, signs the General School Ordinance providing for education for both males and females and setting compulsory education for children aged six through 12.source
The first Continental Congress meets.Canada source
Guy Carleton's recommendations are instituted in the Quebec Act, which introduces British criminal law but retains French civil law and guarantees religious freedom for Roman Catholics. The Act's geographical claims, and toleration of Roman Catholics, were so offensive to the 13 Colonies that it helped precipitate the American War of Independence.Canada source
Pebringegård was sold to Georg Ditlev Frederik KoësDenmark source
The Barony of Holberg is established by Ludvig Holberg from the manors of Brorupgård and Tersløsegaard.Denmark source
Warren Hastings, governor of Bengal, appointed the first Governor-General.India source
Punitive laws against the Clan Gregor are repealed.Scotland source
An Act of Parliament establishes the Improvement Commissioners, responsible for paving, cleaning streets and providing oil lamp lighting in Cardiff.Wales source

Conflict & Security

31 March – American Revolutionary War: Britain orders the port of Boston, Massachusetts closed in the Boston Port Act.United Kingdom source
28 April – The Freedom of the press is restricted.Sweden source
June 20 (June 9 O.S.) – Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774): Battle of Kozludzha – The Imperial Russian Army, led by Alexander Suvorov, routs numerically superior Ottoman Empire forces.source
September 1 – Powder Alarm: Thomas Gage, royal governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, orders British soldiers to remove gunpowder from a magazine, causing Patriots to prepare for war.source
September 4 – Delegates from twelve colonies discuss measures for common safety, at Philadelphia. Canada and Georgia are not represented, though invited. Vermont, not being organized, is not invited.Canada source
September 15 – Yemelyan Pugachev, leader of Pugachev's Rebellion against Russia by the Yaik Cossacks, is betrayed by his own men after returning to Yaitsk (now Oral, Kazakhstan).source
October 10 – Dunmore's War – Battle of Point Pleasant: Cornstalk is forced to make peace with Dunmore at the Treaty of Camp Charlotte, ceding Shawnee land claims south of the Ohio (modern Kentucky) to Virginia.source
November 25 – Salawat Yulayev, the leader of the Bashkirs rebellion against the Russian government, is captured, bringing an end to the insurrection.source
December 1 – A boycott called by the Continental Congress goes into effect, as participating merchants and supporters cease the importation or consumption of products from Great Britain, Ireland or the British West Indies.source
December 9 – The two month long Siege of Melilla begins as armies led by the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed ben Abdallah, attack the North African Spanish colony of Melilla (which remains a part of Spain into the 21st century).source
Lord Dunmore's War fought in Virginia between settlers and Shawnees.Canada source
Valbygård was sold to general Joachim Melchior Holten Castenskiold of Borreby,Denmark source
Siege of Melilla (1774), would continue into 1775Spain source

Exploration & Expansion

May 19 – Shakers Ann Lee and eight followers sail from Liverpool, England for colonial America.source
19 May – Shakers Ann Lee and eight followers sail from Liverpool for colonial America.United Kingdom source
June 2 – Intolerable Acts: A new Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to provide better housing for British soldiers upon demand, is passed.source
2 June – Intolerable Acts: The Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to let British soldiers into their homes, is re-enacted.United Kingdom source
June 16–17 – English explorer James Cook becomes the first European to sight (and name) Palmerston Island in the South Pacific Ocean.source
September 4 – English explorer James Cook becomes the first European to sight (and name) the island of New Caledonia in Melanesia.source
Iselingen, Rosenfeldt, Snertinge and Avnø (32,000 rigsdaler) were sold to Reinhard Iselin.Denmark source
Øbjerggaard are sold for 30,050 rigsdaler to Niels Ruberg-.Denmark source
October 10 – English explorer James Cook becomes the first European to sight (and name) Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean, uninhabited at this date.source
October 21 – The word Liberty is first displayed on a flag raised by colonists in Taunton, Massachusetts, in defiance of British rule in Colonial America.source
November 27 – Spanish Navy Captain Domingo de Bonechea arrives at Tahiti in the ship Aguila and tries unsuccessfully to claim it for Spain and to convert the Tahitians to the Roman Catholic faith.source
Juan Perez ordered by Spain to explore west coast; discovers Prince of Wales Island, Dixon Sound.Canada source
Tårnborg was sold to Dyrehovedgård.Denmark source
Frederikslund was sold to Hans Larsen Fogh.Denmark source
The second Danish trade monopoly in Iceland begins.Iceland source

Religion & Belief

February 3 – The Privy Council of Great Britain, as advisors to King George III, votes for the King's abolition of free land grants of North American lands. Henceforward, land is to be sold at auction to the highest bidder.source
22 February - The town of Stathelle was founded.Norway source
April 17 – The first avowedly Unitarian congregation, Essex Street Chapel, is founded in London by Theophilus Lindsey.source
17 April – the first avowedly Unitarian congregation, Essex Street Chapel in London, is founded by Theophilus Lindsey.United Kingdom source
27 November – The Order of the Chain is founded in Copenhagen.Denmark source
December 23 – King Louis XVI of France issues a declaration that, for the first time, protects "the free commerce of meat during Lent" to support the needs of "the poor whose infirmity requires them to eat meat."source
New buildings in Armagh provided by Archbishop Richard Robinson are completed for the County Infirmary, Royal School and Military Barracks.Ireland source
Roman Catholic chapel built on the site that will become St Peter's Church, Aberdeen.Scotland source
Hugh Jones (Maesglasau) - Cydymaith yr HwsmonWales source
William Williams Pantycelyn - Ychydig Hymnau (hymns)Wales source
Dafydd Jones - Marwnad Enoch FfransisWales source

Economy & Finance

Kallehavegaard is sold to Peter Johansen.Denmark source
Louis XVI faces empty treasuryFrance source
National income - ₹9,670 millionIndia source

Technology & Infrastructure

January 27 – British industrialist John Wilkinson patents a method for boring cannon from the solid, subsequently utilised for accurate boring of steam engine cylinders.source
27 January – John Wilkinson patents a method for boring cannon from the solid, subsequently utilised for accurate boring of steam engine cylinders.United Kingdom source
31 January – The Royal Danish Theatre reopens on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen..Denmark source
February 7 – The volunteer fire company of Trenton, New Jersey, predecessor to the paid Trenton Fire Department created in 1892, is founded. In 1905, at 131 years, it claims to be the oldest continuously serving department in the U.S.source
German cobbler Johann Birkenstock creates the first Birkenstock sandals.source
Edward Jones, an "exhorter" at Whitefield's Tabernacle, Moorfields, and a lay preacher, begins holding Welsh-language services in Cock Lane, Smithfield, London.Wales source
John Wilkinson takes out a patent for cannon-boring at his works in Bersham.Wales source
Construction work is completed on Morris Castle, "Wales's first block of flats".Wales source

Science & Discovery

Lundbygård is sold for 34,000 rigsdaler to Casper Wilhelm von Munthe af Morgenstierne.Denmark source
November 26 – English chemist Joseph Priestley becomes the first person to discover and identify sulfur dioxide.source
A revision of the laws of cricket introduces a leg before wicket rule.source
The Schiehallion experiment is carried by Nevil Maskelyne out to determine the mean density of the Earth.Scotland source

Health & Medicine

July - Dr Samuel Johnson accompanies Hester Thrale and her husband on a visit to North Wales.Wales source
1 August – Joseph Priestley, working independently at Bowood House, Wiltshire, isolates oxygen in the form of a gas.United Kingdom source
Maria Christina Bruhn presents her invention, a package for gunpowder to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.Sweden source

Crime & Justice

January 27 – An angry crowd in Boston, Massachusetts seizes, tars, and feathers British customs collector and Loyalist John Malcolm, for striking a boy and a shoemaker, George Hewes, with his cane.source
17 September – Clifton House, Belfast, the Belfast Charitable Society's poorhouse, is opened.Ireland source
Beldringe (48 000 rigsdaler) and Lekkende ( 40,000 rigsdaler) are sold to Frederik Sophus Raben.Denmark source
26 Seåtember – Vordingborg Cacalry District is divided into 12 manors and sold at auction.Denmark source
Skovbygård is sold for 30,120 rigsdaler tp Hans Pedersen.Denmark source
4 October – a highwayman robs Prime Minister Lord North near Chiswick.United Kingdom source
Jón Benjamínsson, first Icelandic police officer.Iceland source
During this year's harvest, 15-year-old farm labourer Robert Burns is assisted by his contemporary Nelly Kilpatrick who inspires his first attempt at poetry, "O, Once I Lov'd A Bonnie Lass".Scotland source
Richard Wilson - Llyn y Cau, Cadair IdrisWales source

Climate & Environment

To avoid severe flooding, Martinsborough, North Carolina is moved to higher ground 3 mi west. The North Carolina General Assembly incorporates Martinsborough as the new seat of Pitt County, 3 years after its founding.source

Culture & Society

April 19 – The premiere of Iphigénie en Aulide by Christoph Willibald Gluck sparks a huge controversy, almost a war, such as has not been seen in Paris since the Querelle des Bouffons.source
20 April – Life Assurance Act stipulates that people taking out life assurance must have an interest in the life of the insured person, with the intention of eliminating the use of policies as a form of gambling.United Kingdom source
2 May – the Society of Antiquaries of London open the coffin of King Edward I and discover that his body has been perfectly preserved for 467 years.United Kingdom source
7 June - Wedding between Prince Charles and Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp.Sweden source
27 June – foundation stone of General Register House in Edinburgh, designed by Robert Adam, is laid; the building will not be opened until 1788.Scotland source
August 6 – Ann Lee and the Shakers arrive in America and settle in New York.source
September 29 – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's semi-autobiographical epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) (written January–March) is published anonymously in Leipzig, Germany; it is influential in the Sturm und Drang movement and Romanticism.source
11 October - Det nyttige Selskab, a non-profit organization, was founded in Bergen.Norway source
October 25 – The Edenton Tea Party takes place in North Carolina, marking the first major gathering of women in support of the American cause.source
November 4 – The Maryland Jockey Club follows a recommendation of the Continental Congress and cancels its race schedule. The decision sets a precedent for other jockey clubs in the colonies, and no major races are held until the end of the American Revolution.source
Rampur Raza Library was established in India, located in what is now Uttar Pradesh.India source
Dundas House in New Town, Edinburgh, designed by William Chambers, is completed.Scotland source
The Royal Crescent, Bath, designed by John Wood the Younger, is completed.United Kingdom source

Births

March 16 – Captain Matthew Flinders, English navigator and cartographer (died 1814)source
6 April – José de Córdoba y Rojas, admiral (died 1810)Spain source
April 7 – Joseph Bailly, fur trader and pioneer from Canada (died 1835)source
June 2 – William Lawson, English-born Australian explorer and politician (died 1850)source
August 7 – William Morgan, resident of Batavia, New York (died 1826)source
August 12 – Robert Southey, English romantic poet (died 1843)source
August 18 – Meriwether Lewis, American explorer, soldier and public administrator (died 1809)source
August 19 – Denis-Benjamin Viger, Lower Canadian politician (died 1861)source
August 19: Denis-Benjamin Viger, politician, businessman and politician (d.1861)Canada source
August 28 – Elizabeth Ann Seton, co-founder of Mount St. Mary's University in the United States, founder of the Sisters of Charity (died 1821)source
September 5 – Caspar David Friedrich, German painter (died 1840)source
September 8 – Anne Catherine Emmerich, German Augustinian Canoness, mystic, Marian visionary, ecstatic and stigmatist (died 1824)source
September 14 – Lord William Bentinck, First Governor General of India, British soldier and statesman (died 1839)source
September 26 – Johnny Appleseed, (John Chapman), American nurseryman and Swedenborgian missionary (died 1845)source
8 October - Teis Lundegaard, farmer, shipowner, politician and representative at the Norwegian Constituent Assembly (died 1856)Norway source
October 12 – George J. F. Clarke, prominent citizen of East Florida (died 1836)source
December 3 – Giuseppe Federico Palombini, military general (died 1850)source
Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov (A Russian Lieutenant)Russia source

Deaths

January 21 – Mustafa III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1757 to 1774 (born 1717)source
January 21 – Mustafa III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, dies and is succeeded by his brother Abdul Hamid I.source
25 February – Knud Leem, linguist (born 1697).Norway source
April 4 – Oliver Goldsmith, Anglo-Irish writer, poet, and physician (born 1728)source
May 3 – Heinrich August de la Motte Fouqué, German general (born 1698)source
May 10 – Timothy Woodbridge, Superintendent of Indian Affairs (born 1709)source
May 10 – King Louis XV of France (born 1710)source
May 17 – Jeremiah Theus, American artist (born 1716)source
July 1 – Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, British politician (born 1705)source
July 11 – Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet, Anglo-Irish official of the British Empire (born 1715)source
July 11: Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet, superintendent of northern Indians (born 1715)Canada source
July 24 – Caroline Fox, 1st Baroness Holland, British baroness; eldest of the Lennox sisters (born 1723)source
August 25 – Niccolò Jommelli, Italian composer (born 1714)source
September 22 – Pope Clement XIV, pope and bishop of Rome from 1769 to 1774 (born 1705)source
November 22 – Robert Clive, British military officer and East India Company official (born 1725)source
December 16 – François Quesnay, French economist (born 1694)source
Christian Wilhelm Ernst DietrichGermany source
Aleksandr Ilyich Bibikov (A Russian Statesman)Russia source