January 11 » The first American life insurance company, the Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of the Presbyterian Ministers (now part of Unum Group), is incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
January 15 » The British Museum opens to the public.
May 1 » Josiah Wedgwood founds the Wedgwood pottery company in Great Britain.
September 13 » Battle of the Plains of Abraham: the British defeat the French near Quebec City in the Seven Years' War, known in the United States as the French and Indian War.
September 18 » French and Indian War: The Articles of Capitulation of Quebec are signed.
November 25 » An earthquake hits the Mediterranean destroying Beirut and Damascus and killing 30,000-40,000.
Day of death May 15, 1789
The temperature on May 15, 1789 was about 16.0 °C. There was 4 mm of rainWind direction mainly south-southeast. Weather type: zeer betrokken. Source: KNMI
July 9 » In Versailles, the National Assembly reconstitutes itself as the National Constituent Assembly and begins preparations for a French constitution.
July 14 » French Revolution: Citizens of Paris storm the Bastille.
September 2 » The United States Department of the Treasury is founded.
October 2 » The United States Bill of Rights is sent to the various States for ratification.
October 19 » John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
November 20 » New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
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/I11467.php : accessed February 6, 2026), "Elizabeth (Elisabeth) Bockelenberg (< 1741-1789)".
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