January 28 » The Russian Academy of Sciences is founded in St. Petersburg by Peter the Great, and implemented by Senate decree. It is called the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences until 1917.
April 7 » Premiere performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion, BWV245, at St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig.
November 11 » Joseph Blake, alias Blueskin, a highwayman known for attacking "Thief-Taker General" (and thief) Jonathan Wild at the Old Bailey, is hanged in London.
December 7 » Tumult of Thorn: Religious unrest is followed by the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn (Toruń) by Polish authorities.
Day of death August 15, 1778
The temperature on August 15, 1778 was about 17.0 °C. Wind direction mainly west-southwest. Weather type: zeer betrokken. Source: KNMI
January 18 » James Cook is the first known European to discover the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the "Sandwich Islands".
February 5 » South Carolina becomes the second state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
June 18 » American Revolutionary War: British troops abandon Philadelphia.
July 27 » American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
August 29 » American Revolutionary War: British and American forces battle indecisively at the Battle of Rhode Island.
September 7 » American Revolutionary War: France invades Dominica in the British West Indies, before Britain is even aware of France's involvement in the war.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Hendrik Dreyer, "Dreyer Tree", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/dreyer-tree/I10603.php : accessed February 2, 2026), "Nicolaas Swart b2c4 (1724-1778)".
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