May 01 The birth of Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington

Apr 20 In Cahokia Illinois, Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawas, murdered by an Illinois Indian; six years earlier he helped lead the Ottawa, Hurons (Wyandots), Potawatomis and Ojibwas in a rising against the British garrisons on the Great Lakes.

Apr 22 Madame du Barry becomes King Louis XV's "official" mistress

Sep 14 The birth of Baron von Humboldt, German naturalist

Sep 18 Boston Gazette reports first US piano (a spinet)

Jun 07 Daniel Boone begins exploring the Bluegrass State of Kentucky

Dec 13 Dartmouth College in New Hampshire received its charter

Aug 15 The birth of Napoleon Bonaparte, French emperor

Oct 07 English explorer, Captain Cook, discovered New Zealand

Jul 16 Father Serra founds Mission San Diego, first mission in Calif