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
February 6 » American Revolutionary War: In Paris the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce are signed by the United States and France signaling official recognition of the new republic.
June 28 » American Revolutionary War: The American Continentals engage the British in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse resulting in standstill and British withdrawal under cover of darkness.
August 21 » American Revolutionary War: British forces begin besieging the French outpost at Pondichéry.
August 29 » American Revolutionary War: British and American forces battle indecisively at the Battle of Rhode Island.
December 15 » American Revolutionary War: British and French fleets clash in the Battle of St. Lucia.
December 29 » American Revolutionary War: Three thousand British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell capture Savannah, Georgia.
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 3, 2026), "Nicolaas Swart b2c4 (1724-1778)".
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