Historical information on the net!

The 1780s

1780

Law of combustion formulated by Lavoisier

2 Jun 1780

Outbreak of Gordon Riots in London. (Against certain measures for Catholic emancipation).

1 Jun 1780

C. P. von Clausewitz born in Burg

14 Oct 1780

P. J. Bourcet dies, Grenoble

29 Oct 1780

P. Bonaparte born in Ajaccio

9 Nov 1780

J. B. Schels born in Brünn (Brno), Moravia

29 Nov 1780

Maria Theresa dies, Vienna

1781

Austria now in alliance with Russia

3 Sep 1781

E. R. de Beauharnais born in Paris

1782

R. Roustam born in Tiblisi

25 Mar 1782

M. N. C. Bonaparte born in Ajaccio

4 Apr 1782

V. C. Krasinski born in Boremlu in Wolyniu

18 Aug 1782

J. B. A. M. de Marbot born in château of Larivière, Beaulieu (Quercy)

9 Sep 1782

J. B. F. Koch born in Nancy

1783

Russia annexes Crimea

1783

Montgolfier makes first balloon ascent

3 Sep 1783

Treaty of Versailles. End of American War of Independence

23 Jan 1783

M. H. Beyle (Stendhal) born in Grenoble

10 Apr 1783

E. H. de Beauharnais born in Paris

3 Sep 1783

Treaty of Versailles between France and Britain.

14 Sep 1783

G. Gourgaud born in Versailles

1784

Austrians in dispute with Dutch over the Scheldt. France refuses to support Austria

17 Jan 1784

P. A. d'Ornano born in Ajaccio

30 Jul 1784

D. Diderot dies, Paris

15 Oct 1784

T. R. Bugeaud born in Limoges

17 Oct 1784

Napoleon leaves Brienne

21 Oct 1784

Napoleon arrives in Paris to begin at Ecole Militaire

15 Nov 1784

J. Bonaparte born in Ajaccio

1785

Prussia forms League of German Princes

24 Feb 1785

C. M. Bonaparte (Buonaparte) dies, Montpellier

21 Apr 1785

A. C. de Flahaut de la Billarderie born in Paris

1 Sep 1785

Napoleon receives commission as 2nd Lt at age 16. Chooses to serve in La Fère regt based in Valence

Oct 1785

Napoleon joins his regt at Valence

Jan 1786

Napoleon takes up full duties as 2nd Lt

27 Jan 1786

J. von Zieten dies, Berlin

Aug 1786

Napoleon takes part in the suppression of a revolt in Lyon

17 Aug 1786

Frederick the Great dies, Potsdam

20 Aug 1786

Calonne informs Louis XVI that the state is insolvent

20 Dec 1786

D. C. Parquin born in Paris

17 Aug 1787

Beginning of third Turkish war with Austria and Russia

Oct 1787

Napoleon's regt moves to Douai

Oct-Nov? 1787

Prussia invades United Provinces with British support

1788

Sweden invades Russian Finland

1788

Josephine returns to Martinique for a visit with Hortense

Jan 1788

Napoleon returns to Corsica on leave

22 Jan 1788

G. G. Byron born in London

Mar 1788

New alliance between Prussia and Holland

May 1788

Napoleon posted to Auxonne, where he rejoins his regt

Jun 1788

New alliance between Britain and Holland

8 Aug 1788

Announcement of recall of Estates General

25 Aug 1788

Baron Necker appointed to ministry.

Oct? 1788

Beginning of movement in Poland for reform

4 Nov 1788

P. P. de Ségur born in Paris

1789

Austrians recapture Belgrade

Feb 1789

Publication of Siéyès pamphlet 'What is the Third Estate?'

5 May 1789

Meeting of the Estates General at Versailles

9 May 1789

J. B. V. de Gribeauval dies, Paris

4 Jun 1789

Death of the Dauphin.

17 Jun 1789

Third Estate adopts the title of National Assembly

19 Jun 1789

Majority of clergy vote to join Third Estate.

20 Jun 1789

Tennis Court Oath

26 Jun 1789

Troops begin to concentrate around Paris

27 Jun 1789

King Louis orders clergy and nobility to join Third Estate.

11 Jul 1789

Dismissal of Necker.

14 Jul 1789

Storming of the Bastille

16 Jul 1789

Recall of Necker.

18 Jul 1789

Comte d'Artois and three other princes emigrate

4-5 Aug 1789

Abolition of feudal rights by National Assembly.

26 Aug 1789

Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Sep 1789

Napoleon goes to Corsica, where he speaks in support of the Revolution

1 Oct 1789

Decree establishing the military committee of the National Assembly.

5 Oct 1789

March of women to Versailles.

6 Oct 1789

Royal family brought to Paris, followed by National Assembly.

10 Oct 1789

Louis XVI decreed King of the French.

2 Nov 1789

Church property nationalised.

19 Dec 1789

Assignats issued.

Note: These chronologies were prepared while the author was researching Napoleon's 1796-7 campaign in Italy, and they naturally refer largely to people who were involved in that campaign, or had a hand in shaping the military history of the period leading up to it. They were never intended to be complete or exhaustive, and they have been posted here merely in case the information contained in them should be of interest to others. However, when time permits, the author hopes to add further material.

The chronologies were compiled from standard reference works, but while the usual efforts were made to ensure accuracy, there may be errors. As always, it is advisable to cross-check. The major source works were:

Balteau, J., and others, eds. Dictionnaire de biographie française. Paris, 1933-
Berthelot, P.-E.-M., and others, eds. La grande encyclopédie. Paris, 1887-1902
Biographie nationale de Belgique. Brussels, 1866-1986
Der Grosse Brockhaus. Leipzig, 1928
Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford (various editions)
Ferrabino, A., and others, eds. Dizionario biografico degli Italiani. Rome, 1960-
Hassall, A., European History, Chronologically Arranged (476-1920). London, 1920
Hoefer, D., ed. Nouvelle biographie universelle/générale. Paris, 1852-66
Liliencron, R., von, and Wegele, F. X., eds. Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie. Leipzig, 1875-1912
Michaud, ed. Biographie universelle ancienne et moderne. Paris, 1843-?
The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago, c1997
The Pengiun Atlas of World History. London, 1794
Treccani, G., ed. Enciclopedia italiana. Milan, 1929-37
Wurzbach, C., von. Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich. Vienna, 1856-91