January 21 1st American novel, WH Brown's "Power of Sympathy," is published January 23 Georgetown, 1st U.S. Catholic college, founded January 26 John Odell signs contract for 336 pounds to build St. Peter's church (Bronx) February 1 Chinese troops driven out of Vietnam capital Thang Long February 4 1st electoral college chooses Washington and Adams as President and Vice President March 2 Pennsylvania ends prohibition of theatrical performances March 4 1st Congress declares constitution in effect (9 senators, 13 reps) March 10 Franklin College founded March 11 Benjamin Banneker with L'Enfant begin to lay out Washington D.C. March 12 U.S. Post Office established April 1 House of Representatives 1st full meeting, New York City, F Muhlenberg 1st speaker April 6 1st U.S. Congress begins regular sessions, Federal Hall, New York City April 8 House of Representives 1st meeting April 16 George Washington heads for 1st presidential inauguration April 21 John Adams sworn in as 1st U.S. Vice President (9 days before Washington) April 23 President-elect George Washington moves into Franklin House, New York April 28 Fletcher Christian leads Mutiny on HMS Bounty and Captain William Bligh April 30 George Washington inaugurated as 1st president of the United States May 5 French States-General for It first since 1614 together May 7 1st inaugurational ball (for George Washington in New York City) May 12 Society of St. Tammany is formed by Revolutionary War soldiers. It later becomes an infamous group of New York City political bosses June 1 1st U.S. congressional act becomes law (on administering oaths) June 3 Alex Mackenzie explores Mackenzie River (Canada) June 4 U.S. constitution goes into effect June 9 Spanish capture British schooner Northwest America near Vancouver I June 13 Mrs. Alexander Hamilton serves ice cream for dessert to Washington June 14 Captain William Blighs reaches Timor June 17 3rd Estate in France declared itself a national assembly June 20 Oath of Tennis Court (for a new constitution) in France taken July 4 1st U.S. tariff act July 11 U.S. Marine Corps created by an act of Congress July 14 Bastille Day-French Revolution begins with the fall of Bastille July 27 Congress establishes Department of Foreign Affairs, State Department August 1 U.S. Customs begins enforcing Tariff Act August 4 French National Meeting ending feudal system August 7 Congress creates Department of War and Lighthouse Service August 27 French National Assembly issues "Decl of Rights of Man and Citizen" August 28 Sir William Herschel discovers Saturn's moon Enceladus September 2 U.S. Treasury Department established by Congress September 11 Alexander Hamilton appointed 1st Secretary of Treasury September 13 1st loan to U.S. Government (from New York City banks) September 15 Department of Foreign Affairs, renamed Department of State September 17 William Herschel discovers Mimas, satellite of Saturn September 18 1st loan is made to pay salaries of the presidents and Congress September 22 Office of Postmaster General is created under the Treasury Department September 24 Congress creates Post Office September 24 Federal Judiciary Act is passed and creates a six-person Supreme Court September 24 President George Washington appointed John Jay the 1st Chief Justice September 24 U.S. Attorney General Office is created September 25 Congress proposes Bill of Rights (10 of 12 will ratify) September 26 Jefferson appointed 1st Secretary of State; John Jay 1st chief justice; September 29 1st congress adjourns September 29 U.S. War Department established a regular army October 3 Washington proclaims 1st national Thanksgiving Day October 15 1st presidental tour - George Washington in New England November 5 Fleeing slaves under Bonni attack military post on Suriname November 5 French National Meeting declares all citizens equal under law November 8 Bourbon Whiskey, 1st distilled from corn by Elijah Craig, Bourbon, Kentucky November 13 Ben Franklin writes "Nothing . . . certain but death and taxes" November 20 New Jersey is 1st state to ratify Bill of Rights November 21 North Carolina ratifies constitution, becomes 12th U.S. state November 26 1st national Thanksgiving
