1779

1779 (MDCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar, the 1779th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 779th year of the 2nd millennium, the 79th year of the 18th century, and the 10th and last year of the 1770s decade. As of the start of 1779, the Gregorian calendar was 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.

1779
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/The_Siege_and_Relief_of_Gibraltar_%282%29.jpg/500px-The_Siege_and_Relief_of_Gibraltar_%282%29.jpg

Year 1779: A Historical Overview

The year 1779 was a significant year in history, marking the end of the 1770s decade. It was a common year that began on a Friday in the Gregorian calendar and a Tuesday in the Julian calendar. This year is notable for various events across the globe, particularly during the American Revolutionary War.

Key Events

January–March

  • January 11: British troops surrender to the Marathas in Wadgaon, India.
  • January 22: Claudius Smith is hanged for acts of terrorism during the American Revolutionary War.
  • February 14: Captain James Cook is killed in the Sandwich Islands.
  • March 10: The Treaty of Aynalıkavak is signed between Ottoman Turkey and the Russian Empire.

April–June

  • April 12: Spain and France sign the Convention of Aranjuez, aligning against Great Britain.
  • June 1: Benedict Arnold is court-martialed for malfeasance.
  • June 16: Spain declares war on Britain in support of France.

July–September

  • July 16: The Great Siege of Gibraltar begins.
  • September 23: The Battle of Flamborough Head occurs, with John Paul Jones leading the American forces to victory.

October–December

  • October 1: The city of Tampere, Finland is founded.
  • December 25: Fort Nashborough is established, which will later become Nashville, Tennessee.

Notable Births

  • January 5: Stephen Decatur, American naval officer.
  • August 1: Francis Scott Key, American lawyer and lyricist.
  • December 12: Madeleine Sophie Barat, French Catholic saint.

Significant Deaths

  • February 14: James Cook, British naval captain.
  • October 11: Kazimierz Pułaski, veteran commander.
  • December 16: Emperor Go-Momozono of Japan.

Industrial Revolution Developments

  • The Iron Bridge is erected in Shropshire, the first bridge built entirely of cast iron.
  • Samuel Crompton perfects the spinning mule.

This year, marked by conflict, exploration, and innovation, set the stage for future events that would shape the world.