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
March 4 » In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect. The United States Bill of Rights is written and proposed to Congress.
July 10 » Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Mackenzie River delta.
July 12 » In response to the dismissal of the French finance minister Jacques Necker, the radical journalist Camille Desmoulins gives a speech which results in the storming of the Bastille two days later.
September 26 » George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson the first United States Secretary of State.
November 20 » New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
December 11 » The University of North Carolina is chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly.
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 3, 2026), "Elizabeth (Elisabeth) Bockelenberg (< 1741-1789)".
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