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.
July 25 » French and Indian War: In Western New York, British forces capture Fort Niagara from the French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé.
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.
November 25 » An earthquake hits the Mediterranean destroying Beirut and Damascus and killing 30,000-40,000.
Day of death October 8, 1788
The temperature on October 8, 1788 was about 10.0 °C. Wind direction mainly north-northeast. Weather type: omtrent helder. Source: KNMI
January 26 » The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day.
February 6 » Massachusetts becomes the sixth state to ratify the United States Constitution.
February 9 » The Habsburg Empire joins the Russo-Turkish War in the Russian camp.
April 7 » American pioneers to the Northwest Territory establish Marietta, Ohio as the first permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory.
May 8 » King Louis XVI of France attempts to impose the reforms of Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne by abolishing the parlements.
July 26 » New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Gert Esterhuizen, "Family tree Eric Esterhuizen", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-eric-esterhuizen/I3805.php : accessed January 17, 2026), "Dirk COETZEE (1742-1788)".
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