January 18 Captain James Cook stumbles over Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands) January 20 1st American military court martial trial begins, Cambridge, Mass January 27 Piccinni's opera "Roland" premieres, Paris February 5 Articles of Confederation ratified by 1st state, South Carolina February 6 England declares war on France February 6 France recognizes U.S., signs treaty of aid in Paris; 1st U.S. treaty February 14 "Stars and Stripes" arrives in foreign port for 1st time (France) February 23 Baron von Steuben joins Continental Army at Valley Forge February 28 Rhode Island General Assembly authorizes enlistment of slaves March 7 Captain James Cook 1st sights Oregon coast, at Yaquina Bay March 15 Nootka Sound, Vancouver Is discovered by Captain Cook March 22 Captain Cook sights Cape Flattery, in Washington state March 30 Playwright Voltaire crowned with laurel wreath April 1 Oliver Pollock, a New Orleans businessman, creates "$" symbol June 18 British Redcoats evacuate Philadelphia June 19 Washington's troops finally leave Valley Forge June 24 David Rittenhouse observes a total solar eclipse in Philadelphia June 27 Liberty Bell came home to Philadelphia after the British had left June 28 Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey (General Washington beats Clinton) June 28 Mary Ludwig Hayes "Molly Pitcher" aids American patriots July 3 British forces massacre 360 men, women and children in Wyoming, Pa July 3 Prussia declares war on Austria July 8 George Washington headquarters at West Point for his Continental Army August 3 Teatro alla Scala opens in Milan August 9 Captain Cook reaches Cape Prince of Wales, Bering straits August 31 British kill 17 Stockbridge indians in Bronx during Revolution September 4 City Amsterdam signs trade agreement with U.S. rebels September 17 1st treaty between the U.S. and Indian tribes signed (Fort Pitt) October 3 Captain Cook anchors at Alaska November 11 Iroquois Indians in New York kill 40 in Cherry Valley Massacre November 26 Captain Cook discovers Maui in the Sandwich Islands, now Hawaii December 29 English troops occupy Savannah, Georgia
