1768. James Short, a celebrated Scottish optician, died. He was of humble origin, but became a noted and wealthy man. His telescopes were long surpassed only by those of Herschel.
1768. The commissioners of the customs at Boston requested Gen. Gage to support them in the execution of their office with a military force.
1775. Washington appointed commander in chief of the American army.
1776. The legislature of New Hampshire voted unanimously that their delegates in congress should join with the other delegates in declaring the 13 united colonies a free and independent state.
1776. The British under sir Henry Clinton attacked Sullivan's island, and were repulsed by Gen. Lee.
1785. Pilatre de Rosier, a French æronaut, killed. He was attempting to cross the English channel from Boulogne; but the balloon took fire soon after its ascent, and he was precipitated to the earth.
1794. A memorable eruption of mount Vesuvius.
1811. A marine volcano burst through the sea in 40 fathoms of water, at the west end of St. Michaels, one of the Azores, about three miles from land.
1815. Battle of Fleury, in which Bonaparte with 150,000 men, attacked the Prussians and English of 200,000, and drove them back, and the next day defeated them at Ligny.
1826. The sultan of Turkey defeated and abolished the ancient corps of Janizaries. This military body, consisting of trained captives, was first instituted by the third Amurath, in 1362.