1776 CE

1776 took place during the height of the American Revolution, and was singled out by Abraham Lincoln as a turning point through the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In the 1770s, the 18th century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • 15 January – The Danish Citizenship Act of 1776 reserves state offices for Danish, Norwegian and Holstein citizens.Denmarksource
  • January 20 – American Revolution: South Carolina Loyalists led by Robert Cunningham sign a petition from prison, agreeing to all demands for peace by the formed state government of South Carolina.source
  • March 1 – The Peshwa of the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company sign the Treaty of Purandar in which the British are able to secure Salsette Island and accept Sawai Madhavrao as a new Peshwa. The Marathas agree not to recognise existence of the French in India.source
  • April 12 – American Revolution: The Royal Colony of North Carolina produces the Halifax Resolves, making it the first British colony to officially authorize its Continental Congress delegates to vote for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.source
  • May 4 – Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III of Great Britain.source
  • June 7 – American Revolution: Lee Resolution – Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposes to the Second Continental Congress (meeting in Philadelphia) that "these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."source
  • June 11 – American Revolution: The Continental Congress appoints a Committee of Five to draft a Declaration of Independence.source
  • June 12 – American Revolution: The Virginia Declaration of Rights (by George Mason) is adopted by the Virginia Convention of Delegates.source
  • June 15 – American Revolution: Delaware Separation Day – The Delaware General Assembly votes to suspend government under the British Crown.source
  • 2 July – American Revolution: the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passes the "Lee Resolution" resolving that the United Colonies of North America are "free and independent States", independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain.United Kingdomsource
  • July 4 – American Revolution: United States Declaration of Independence – The Continental Congress approves the declaration by the United States of its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. The text was drafted during June by Benjamin Franklin.source
  • 4 July – American Revolution: United States Declaration of Independence. Fife-born James Wilson and Gifford-born Rev. John Witherspoon are among the signatories.Scotlandsource
  • 4 July – United States Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia. Sixteen of the 56 signatories are of Welsh descent, Francis Lewis having been born in Llandaff.Walessource
  • July 8 – American Revolution: The Liberty Bell rings for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia.United Statessource
  • August 1 – The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata is established in southern South America.source
  • August 2 – Delegates of most of the American colonies sign the Declaration of Independence.source
  • August 15 – American Revolution: The first Hessian troops land on Staten Island, to join British forces.source
  • August – Establishment of the Novgorod Viceroyalty, subdivided into Novgorod and Olonets oblasts, as part of Catherine’s administrative reforms.Russiasource
  • September 9 – The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States (previously the United Colonies).source
  • October 11 – The British are victorious on Lake Champlain.Canadasource
  • December 6 – The General Assembly of Virginia votes to create Kentucky County as the portion of the colony's Fincastle County that is located west of the Cumberland Mountains.source
  • December 12 – The second Continental Congress ends after a session that began on May 10, 1775, and continued for 582 days.source
  • December 21 – American Revolution: The Royal Colony of North Carolina reorganizes into the State of North Carolina after adopting its own constitution. Richard Caswell becomes the first governor of the newly formed state.source
  • Adlan II becomes ruler of the Kingdom of Sennar.source
  • In 1776, Spain was a global empire, with territories spanning from Europe to the Americas and the Philippines. The influence of the Enlightenment was evident in the Spanish court, where ideas of rational governance, economic reform, and scientific progress were taking root under the guidance of Charles III and his enlightened ministers. The Presidio of San Francisco is also founded in New Spain on September 17.Spainsource

Conflict & Security

  • January 1 – American Revolutionary War: Burning of Norfolk – The town of Norfolk, Virginia is destroyed, by the combined actions of the British Royal Navy and occupying Patriot forces.source
  • February 27 – American Revolution: Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge – Scottish North Carolina Loyalists charge across Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilmington to attack what they mistakenly believe to be a small force of rebels. Several leaders are killed in the ensuing battle. The patriot victory ends virtually all British authority in the province.source
  • 27 February – American Revolution: At the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Scottish American Loyalists are defeated by North Carolina Patriots. Capt. Allan MacDonald (husband of Flora) is among those taken prisoner.Scotlandsource
  • 27 February – American Revolution: Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge – Scottish American Loyalists are defeated by North Carolina Patriots.United Kingdomsource
  • March 4 – American Revolutionary War: American Patriots capture Dorchester Heights, dominating the port of Boston.source
  • March 17 – American Revolutionary War: Threatened by Patriot cannons on Dorchester Heights, the British evacuate Boston, ending the 11‑month Siege of Boston.source
  • March 25 – American Revolutionary War: American Patriots conduct a Raid on Tybee Island, primarily seeking to capture runaway slaves who sought refuge with British forces stationed there.source
  • 4 April – act of the Parliament of Ireland to prevent "tumultuous risings", directed against the Whiteboys.Irelandsource
  • May 15–26 – American Revolution: Battle of the Cedars – British forces skirmish with the American Continental Army around Les Cèdres, Quebec.source
  • June 8 – American Revolution: Battle of Trois-Rivières – The invading American Continental Army is driven back at Trois-Rivières, Quebec.source
  • June 18 – General Burgoyne finds that the Continental Army has evacuated St. Johns.Canadasource
  • June 28 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Sullivan's Island – South Carolina militia repel a British attack on Charleston.source
  • June 29 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet – The American Continental Navy successfully challenges the British Royal Navy blockade off New Jersey.source
  • July 8 – American Revolution: The Liberty Bell rings in Philadelphia for the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.source
  • July 9 – American Revolution – An angry mob in New York City topples and beheads the equestrian statue of George III of Great Britain in Bowling Green; much of its metal content will be used to make musket balls.source
  • July 9 – American Revolution: An angry mob in New York City topples and beheads the equestrian statue of George III in Bowling Green; much of its metal content will be used to make musket balls.United Statessource
  • August 27 – American Revolution: Battle of Long Island – George Washington's troops are defeated in Brooklyn by the British, under William Howe.source
  • September 1 – Cherokee–American wars: The invasion of the Cherokee Nation by 6,000 patriot troops from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina begins. The troops destroy 36 Cherokee towns.source
  • September 7 – American Revolutionary War: World's first submarine attack – The American submersible craft Turtle attempts to attach a time bomb to the hull of British Admiral Richard Howe's flagship HMS Eagle in New York Harbor.source
  • September 11 – American Revolutionary War: An abortive peace conference takes place between the British and Americans, on Staten Island.source
  • September 15 – American Revolutionary War: Landing at Kip's Bay – British troops land on Manhattan at Kips Bay.source
  • September 16 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Harlem Heights – The Continental Army under Washington is victorious against the British on Manhattan.source
  • October 11 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Valcour Island – On Lake Champlain near Valcour Island, a British fleet led by Sir Guy Carleton defeats 15 American gunboats, commanded by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. Although nearly all of Arnold's ships are destroyed, the two-day-long battle will give Patriot forces enough time to prepare the defenses of New York City.source
  • October 18 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Pell's Point – Troops of the American Continental Army resist a British and Hessian force in The Bronx.source
  • October 28 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of White Plains – British forces arrive at White Plains, attack and capture Chatterton Hill from the Americans.source
  • October 31 – In his first speech before British Parliament since the Declaration of Independence that summer, King George III acknowledges that all is not going well for Britain in the war with the United States.United Statessource
  • November 16 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Fort Washington – Hessian forces under Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen capture Fort Washington (Manhattan) from the American Continental Army.source
  • November 20 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Fort Lee – The invasion of New Jersey, by British and Hessian forces, leads to the subsequent general retreat of the American Continental Army.source
  • November – Russian troops intervene in the Crimean Khanate, enforcing Catherine’s decision to install Şahin Giray as khan.Russiasource
  • December 25 – American Revolution: George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River – At 6 p.m. Gen. George Washington and his troops, numbering 2,400, march to McConkey's Ferry, cross the Delaware River and land on the New Jersey bank by 3 a.m. the following morning.source
  • December 26 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Trenton – Washington's troops surprise the 1,500 Hessian troops under the command of Col. Johann Rall at 8 a.m. outside Trenton and score a victory, taking 948 prisoners while suffering only five wounded.source
  • Russia maintains formal neutrality in the American Revolutionary War, rejecting British requests for troops.Russiasource

Exploration & Expansion

  • March – Restrictions on the grain trade in Sweden are lifted.source
  • March - The restrictions of the Swedish Cereal trade is lifted.Swedensource
  • 2 May - The restrictions of the selling of Brännvin is lifted.Swedensource
  • June 17 – Lt. José Joaquín Moraga leads a band of colonists from Monterey Presidio, landing on June 29 and, with Father Francisco Palóu, constructing the Mission San Francisco de Asís ("Mission Dolores") of the new Presidio of San Francisco, the oldest surviving building in the modern-day city.source
  • June–July – Claude-François-Dorothée, marquis de Jouffroy d'Abbans, demonstrates his steamboat Palmipède on the Doubs (river).Francesource
  • July 12 – Captain James Cook sets off from Plymouth, England, in HMS Resolution on his third voyage, to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic, which will be fatal to him.source
  • 12 July – Captain James Cook sets off from Plymouth in HMS Resolution on his third voyage, to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic, which will be fatal to him.United Kingdomsource
  • July 29 – Domínguez–Escalante expedition: Francisco Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and eight other Spaniards set out from Santa Fe on an 1800-mile (2900 km) trek through the American Southwest. They are the first Europeans to explore the vast region between the Rockies and the Sierras.source
  • July 29 – Francisco Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, Francisco Atanasio Domínguez, and eight other Spaniards set out from Santa Fe on the Domínguez–Escalante expedition, an eighteen-hundred mile trek through the American Southwest. They are the first Europeans to explore the vast region between the Rockies and the Sierras.United Statessource
  • October 13 – On Lake Champlain, Arnold runs part of his fleet ashore, to avoid capture.Canadasource
  • October 17 – The Rutherford Light Horse expedition begins.United Statessource
  • Evan Evans (Ieuan Fardd) – Casgliad o BregethauWalessource

Religion & Belief

  • March 28 – Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco.source
  • April 29 – Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase and Rev. John Carroll, a Jesuit, urge Canadians to send delegates to Congress, promising toleration. Franklin brings a printer and press, for a newspaper, to mould public opinion. Canadians regard Franklin as an enemy, and the priests remind Father Carroll that, unlike some of the Provinces, Britain tolerates the Romish Church.Canadasource
  • May 1 – Adam Weishaupt founds the Illuminati in Ingolstadt, Bavaria.source
  • October 9 – Father Francisco Palóu founds the Mission San Francisco de Asís, in what becomes San Francisco.source
  • October 9 – Father Francisco Palou founds Mission San Francisco de Asis in what becomes San Francisco, California.United Statessource
  • 2 December - The Swedish Freedom of Print.Swedensource
  • December 21 – The North Carolina Council of State is formed by the constitutional convention of North Carolina.United Statessource
  • Thomas Churchyard – The Worthines of Wales, a PoemWalessource

Economy & Finance

  • 15 January – A Danish-Norwegian Nationality Act reserves state offices for Norwegian, Danish and Holstein citizens.Norwaysource
  • 22 November – Frederik Bargum's revived Danish West India Company is liquidated.Denmarksource
  • Hancock, Massachusetts is incorporated and named after John Hancock.United Statessource
  • 'Forks of the Tar' changes to Washington, North Carolina, being named in honor of George Washington.United Statessource

Technology & Infrastructure

  • 13 May: Christian VII ordered a mail service to be established.Icelandsource
  • November 28 – The 9th North Carolina Regiment is established.United Statessource
  • The first commercial examples of the Watt steam engine are sold.source
  • Roskildevej is constructed across Frederiksberg Hill as a direct continuation of Vesterbrogade, with the effect that it passes Valby by to the detriment of the inn and other businesses.Denmarksource
  • Blaafarveværket, a mining and industrial company in Modum, was established.Norwaysource
  • Expansion of the Russian Assignation Bank network, with a new branch established in Tobolsk to extend circulation of paper rubles.Russiasource
  • Probable – Dunmore Pineapple constructed.Scotlandsource
  • New Aray Bridge on Inveraray Castle estate, designed by Robert Mylne, is completed.Scotlandsource
  • The Dobbin House Tavern is built in the location which becomes Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.United Statessource

Science & Discovery

  • 22 July – Empress Catherine the Great issues a revised Instruction (Nakaz), refining Enlightenment-inspired proposals for Russia’s legal code.Russiasource
  • Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1737–1809) appears.Canadasource
  • HDMS Indfødsretten is launched at the Royal Danish Dockyard in Copenhagen.Denmarksource
  • Hugh Jones (Maesglasau) – Gardd y CaniadauWalessource
  • Aaron Williams - Collection of hymn-tunesWalessource

Health & Medicine

  • Physician Andrew Duncan proposes establishment of the institution that becomes the Royal Public Dispensary of Edinburgh.Scotlandsource

Crime & Justice

Disasters & Accidents

  • June 6 – A fire destroys major parts of the town of Askersund, Sweden.source
  • September 20 – The Great Fire of New York (1776) starts during the night, ending the following morning.source
  • September 20 – The Great Fire of New York (1776) begins, continuing overnight.United Statessource
  • The Pennsylvania Provincial Council dissolves.United Statessource
  • Brunswick Town, North Carolina is attacked by British soldiers of the Royal Navy ship Cruizerwho burn most of the town including St. Philip's Church.United Statessource

Climate & Environment

Culture & Society

  • January 10 – American Revolution: Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense, arguing for independence from British rule in the Thirteen Colonies.source
  • February 17 – Edward Gibbon publishes the first volume of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.source
  • March 9 – Scottish economist Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations in London.source
  • March 28 – Foundation of the ballet troupe which becomes the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russian Empire.source
  • 23 May – The Criminal Law Act introduces hard labour as a punishment since penal transportation to British North America has been made impossible due to the American Revolution (initially intended as a temporary measure). The first prison hulk to accommodate such prisoners comes into use on 15 July on the River Thames.United Kingdomsource
  • July 4 - The Albertina art museum is founded in Vienna, Austria.source
  • July 21 – Mozart's Serenade No. 7 (the "Haffner") is first performed in Salzburg, Austria.source
  • 5 August - Romeo and Juliet is played for the first time in Sweden at Egges Theatre in Norrköping with Margareta Seuerling as Julia.Swedensource
  • 24 August – Herbert Mackworth is created a baronet.Walessource
  • August – The guild organisation Marchandes de modes is founded in Paris.source
  • August – The guild organisation Marchandes de modes is founded.Francesource
  • September 17 – The Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain.source
  • September 24 – The Bolshoi Theatre company hosts its first annual opera season, with the opening of the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia.source
  • September 24 – The first running of the St Leger Stakes horse race (not yet named) in England, first of the British Classic Races, devised by Anthony St Leger (British Army officer), takes place on Cantley Common at Doncaster. The winner is a filly (later named Allabaculia) owned by the organiser, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.source
  • October 7 – Crown Prince Paul of Russia marries Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg.source
  • December 5 – The Phi Beta Kappa society is founded at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.source
  • December 5 – Phi Beta Kappa honor society founded at the College of William and Mary.United Statessource
  • December 19 – American Revolution – Thomas Paine, living with Washington's troops, publishes the first in the series of pamphlets on The American Crisis in The Pennsylvania Journal, opening with the stirring phrase, "These are the times that try men's souls."source
  • The King's Club is founded in Copenhagen.Denmarksource
  • David Herd's anthology Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs is published.Scotlandsource
  • King Charles III continued his efforts to modernize Spain's administration and infrastructure. He was known for his "Regalismo" policy, which aimed to reduce the power of the church and increase the power of the state. This year also saw further implementation of the Bourbon Reforms, which were intended to strengthen the empire and consolidate royal authority.Spainsource

Births

  • January 9 – Ludwig Rhesa, Prussian scholar (died 1840)source
  • January 24 – E. T. A. Hoffmann, German writer, composer and painter (died 1822)source
  • February 11 – Ioannis Kapodistrias, Governor of Greece (died 1831)source
  • February 15 – Jean-Pierre Boyer, President of Haiti (died 1850)source
  • February 20 - Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca, Spanish colonial governor of Cuba (died 1846)Spainsource
  • March 9 – Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary, Archduke of Austria (died 1847)source
  • March 10 – Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia (died 1810)source
  • March 12 – Lady Hester Stanhope, English archaeologist (died 1839)source
  • April 1 – Sophie Germain, French mathematician (died 1831)source
  • May 4 – Johann Friedrich Herbart, German philosopher, psychologist (died 1841)source
  • May 18 – Dennis Pennington, American politician (died 1854)source
  • June 11 – John Constable, English landscape painter (died 1837)source
  • July 17 – John Neilson, Canadian politician (died 1848)source
  • July 17 – John Neilson, publisher, printer, bookseller, politician, farmer, and militia officer (d.1848)Canadasource
  • September 17 – Langdon Cheves, American politician (died 1857)source
  • September 17 – Langdon Cheves, politician (died 1857)United Statessource
  • October 14 – Robert Townsend Farquhar, British colonial administrator (died 1830)source
  • No verifiable records of culturally significant births directly tied to Russia in 1776.Russiasource

Deaths

  • January 14 – Edward Cornwallis, British military officer, first Governor of Nova Scotia (born 1713)source
  • March 24 – John Harrison, English clockmaker (born 1693)source
  • March 26 – Samuel Ward, American politician (born 1725)source
  • March 30 – Jonathan Belcher, lawyer, chief justice, and lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia (b.1710)Canadasource
  • March 31 – Jane Randolph Jefferson, wife of Peter Jefferson and the mother of US president Thomas Jefferson (born 1720)source
  • April 19 – Jacob Emden, leading German rabbi and talmudist who championed Orthodox Judaism (born 1697)source
  • May 4 – Jacques Saly, French sculptor (born 1717)source
  • June 10 – Death of King Hsinbyushin of the Konbaung dynasty in Burma.source
  • July 16 – Countess Palatine Francisca Christina of Sulzbach, Princess-abbess of Essen Abbey and Thorn Abbey (born 1696)source
  • August 25 – David Hume, Scottish philosopher (born 1711)source
  • August 25 – Scottish philosopher and historian David Hume dies in Edinburgh.source
  • September 22 – American Revolutionary War – Nathan Hale is executed by the British in New York City for espionage.source
  • September 22 – Nathan Hale, American Revolutionary War captain, writer and patriot (executed) (born 1755)source
  • September 22 – American Revolution: Nathan Hale is executed by the British in New York City for espionage.United Statessource
  • September 28 – Cadwallader Colden, physician (born 1688)source
  • December 10 – Robert Hay Drummond, Archbishop of York (born 1711)source
  • Henrik Bech, woodcarver (born c.1718).Norwaysource
  • Anna Vorontsova (date uncertain), member of the prominent Vorontsov noble family.Russiasource