The 1790s

1791 235 years ago

The Great Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ratified the first codified national constitution in Europe

The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm was a Sejm (parliament) of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that was held in Warsaw between 1788 and 1792. Its principal aim beca…

The Great Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ratified the first codified national constitution in Europe

1791 235 years ago

The Priestley Riots, targeting religious dissenters such as Joseph Priestley, began in Birmingham, England.

The Priestley Riots took place from 14 July to 17 July 1791 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England; the rioters' main targets were religious dissenters, most notably the politically …

The Priestley Riots, targeting religious dissenters such as Joseph Priestley, began in Birmingham, England.

1791 235 years ago

The signing of the Treaty of Sistova brought an end to the Austro-Turkish War.

The Treaty of Sistova ended the last Austro-Turkish war (1787–91). Brokered by Great Britain, Prussia and the Netherlands, it was signed in Sistova in Bulgaria on 4 August 1791. Th…

The signing of the Treaty of Sistova brought an end to the Austro-Turkish War.

1791 235 years ago

The commissioners overseeing the construction of the United States' new capital city named it Washington, D.C., in…

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington, is the federal capital city of the United States, and its only federal district.

The commissioners overseeing the construction of the United States' new capital city named it Washington, D.C., in…

1791 235 years ago

French playwright Olympe de Gouges published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, hoping…

Olympe de Gouges was a French playwright and political activist. She is best known for her Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen and other writings on women'…

French playwright Olympe de Gouges published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, hoping…

1790

Rhode Island becomes the last of North America's original Thirteen Colonies to ratify the Constitution and become one of

Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean…

Rhode Island becomes the last of North America's original Thirteen Colonies to ratify the Constitution and become one of

1790

Manuel Quimper explores the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Manuel Quimper Benítez del Pino was a Spanish Peruvian explorer, cartographer, naval officer, and colonial official. He participated in charting the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the …

Manuel Quimper explores the Strait of Juan de Fuca

1790

The United States enacts its first copyright statute, the Copyright Act of 1790

In the United States of America, copyright grants monopoly protection for "original works of authorship". With the stated purpose to promote art and culture, copyright law assig…

The United States enacts its first copyright statute, the Copyright Act of 1790

1790

The Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian Baltic fleet.

The Swedish Navy is the maritime service branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet, sometimes formally referred to as the …

The Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian Baltic fleet.

1790

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed in France by the National Constituent Assembly.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that sought the complete control over the Catholic Church in France by the Frenc…

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed in France by the National Constituent Assembly.

1790

Inaugural Fête de la Fédération is held to celebrate the unity of the French people and the national reconciliation.

The Fête de la Fédération was a massive holiday festival held throughout France in 1790 in honour of the French Revolution, celebrating the Revolution itself, as well as national u…

Inaugural Fête de la Fédération is held to celebrate the unity of the French people and the national reconciliation.

1790

The first United States Census is conducted.

The 1790 United States census was the first United States census. It recorded the population of the whole United States as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, as mandated by Article 1, …

The first United States Census is conducted.

1790

The Treaty of Wereloe ended the 1788–1790 Russo-Swedish War.

The Treaty of Värälä was signed in Värälä, Elimäki Municipality, Finland, between Russia and Sweden. It was signed on 14 August 1790 and concluded the Russo-Swedish War. The treaty…

The Treaty of Wereloe ended the 1788–1790 Russo-Swedish War.

1790

Manuel Blanco Encalada, Spanish-Chilean admiral and politician, 1st President of Chile (died 1876)

Manuel José Blanco y Calvo de Encalada was a vice-admiral in the Chilean Navy, a political figure, and Chile's first President (Provisional) (1826).

Manuel Blanco Encalada, Spanish-Chilean admiral and politician, 1st President of Chile (died 1876)

1790

The District of Columbia is established as the capital of the United States after signature of the Residence Act.

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Po…

The District of Columbia is established as the capital of the United States after signature of the Residence Act.

1790

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time, in exch…

The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process.

1790

A newly passed tariff act creates the Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the United States Coast Guard).

A tariff, or import tax, is a duty imposed by a national government, customs territory, or supranational union on imports of goods and is paid by the importer. Exceptionally, an ex…

A newly passed tariff act creates the Revenue Cutter Service (the forerunner of the United States Coast Guard).

1790

The Treaty of Wereloe ends the 1788–1790 Russo-Swedish War.

The Treaty of Värälä was signed in Värälä, Elimäki Municipality, Finland, between Russia and Sweden. It was signed on 14 August 1790 and concluded the Russo-Swedish War. The treaty…

The Treaty of Wereloe ends the 1788–1790 Russo-Swedish War.

1790

William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, English politician, Lord Chamberlain of the Household (died 1858)

William George Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, styled Marquess of Hartington until 1811, was an English peer, courtier and Whig politician. Known as the "Bachelor Duke",…

William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, English politician, Lord Chamberlain of the Household (died 1858)

1790

Jules Dumont d'Urville, French admiral and explorer (died 1842)

Jules Sébastien César Dumont d'Urville was a French explorer and naval officer who explored the south and western Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. As a botanist and …

Jules Dumont d'Urville, French admiral and explorer (died 1842)

1790

James Pradier, French neoclassical sculptor (died 1852)

James Pradier was a Genevan-born French sculptor best known for his work in the neoclassical style.

James Pradier, French neoclassical sculptor (died 1852)

1790

Ferdinand Raimund, Austrian actor and playwright (died 1836)

Ferdinand Raimund was an Austrian actor and playwright.

Ferdinand Raimund, Austrian actor and playwright (died 1836)

1790

José Antonio Páez, Venezuelan general and politician, President of Venezuela (died 1873)

José Antonio Páez Herrera was a Venezuelan politician and military officer who served as the president of Venezuela three times. The first as the 5th president from 1830 to 1835, t…

José Antonio Páez, Venezuelan general and politician, President of Venezuela (died 1873)

1790

Charles-Amédée Kohler, Swiss chocolatier (died 1874)

Charles-Amédée Kohler was a Swiss chocolatier and entrepreneur who founded Chocolat Kohler. He notably invented hazelnut chocolate, in his factory opened in 1830 in Lausanne. After…

Charles-Amédée Kohler, Swiss chocolatier (died 1874)