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.
July 25 » French and Indian War: In Western New York, British forces capture Fort Niagara from the French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé.
August 1 » Seven Years' War: The Battle of Minden, an allied Anglo-German army victory over the French. In Britain this was one of a number of events that constituted the Annus Mirabilis of 1759 and is celebrated as Minden Day by certain British Army regiments.
August 19 » Battle of Lagos Naval battle during the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France.
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
June 14 » Mutiny on the Bounty: HMSBounty mutiny survivors including Captain William Bligh and 18 others reach Timor after a nearly 7,400km (4,600mi) journey in an open boat.
June 20 » Deputies of the French Third Estate take the Tennis Court Oath.
July 15 » Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is named by acclamation Colonel General of the new National Guard of Paris.
July 27 » The first U.S. federal government agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, is established (it will be later renamed Department of State).
September 2 » The United States Department of the Treasury is founded.
October 5 » French Revolution: The Women's March on Versailles effectively terminates royal authority.
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 1, 2026), "Elizabeth (Elisabeth) Bockelenberg (< 1741-1789)".
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