January 15 » American Revolutionary War: New Connecticut (present-day Vermont) declares its independence.
July 31 » The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."
October 4 » American Revolutionary War: Troops under George Washington are repelled by British troops under William Howe.
October 7 » American Revolutionary War: The Americans defeat the British in the Second Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights.
November 29 » San Jose, California, is founded as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe by José Joaquín Moraga. It is the first civilian settlement, or pueblo, in Alta California.
December 18 » The United States celebrates its first Thanksgiving, marking the recent victory by the American rebels over British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga in October.
Day of death February 17, 1778
The temperature on February 17, 1778 was about 0.0 °C. There was 26 mm of rainWind direction mainly north by east. Weather type: betrokken sneeuw. Source: KNMI
February 5 » South Carolina becomes the second state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
June 18 » American Revolutionary War: British troops abandon Philadelphia.
July 27 » American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
September 7 » American Revolutionary War: France invades Dominica in the British West Indies, before Britain is even aware of France's involvement in the war.
September 17 » The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed. It is the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe.
November 26 » In the Hawaiian Islands, Captain James Cook becomes the first European to visit Maui.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Ben Wit, "Family tree Wit en andere families West-Friesland", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-wit/I158.php : accessed October 13, 2026), "Pieter Wit (-1778)".
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