What Happened in January?

Vermont declares independence from the British crown and from the Colony of New York. They called the territory New Connecticut but when they met in June to write a constitution, they changed the name to Vermont, loosely based on the French term for “green mountain,” or “montagne verte.” Vermont became the 14th State when it was admitted into the Union on March 4 1791. More

1778, January 18 - English Captain James Cook, traveling aboard the 100-foot flagship HMS Resolution and its 90-foot companion HMS Discovery. sights O‘ahu and two days later steps ashore at Waimea on Kaua‘i, becoming the first European to travel to the Hawaiian Islands. After a short stay Capitan Cook went on to explore the west coast of North America, to continue his search for the Northwest Passage. A year later, he returned to Hawaii where he was killed by the Hawaiian natives at Kealakekua Bay on February 14, 1779 after he attempted to kidnap Kalaniʻōpuʻu, the ruling chief (aliʻi nui) of the island and hold him in exchange for the return of a small stolen cutter. A fatal error that led to his death. Cook's arrival in Hawaii eventually led to large migrations of Europeans and Americans to the islands resulting a century later in 1893, in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii by pro-American elements. More

The first state constitution of Georgia is adopted.

Spain declares war on Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War.

American forces win the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.

American forces under Daniel Morgan defeat the British at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.

The Siege of Gibraltar ends with the lifting of the Spanish and French blockade.

The Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, officially establishing the United States as an independent and sovereign nation. The treaty, signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, required Congress to return the ratified document to England within six months. More

French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries make the first aerial crossing of the English Channel in a hydrogen balloon. More

The first successful balloon flight in America takes place in Philadelphia, piloted by Jean-Pierre Blanchard.

The Ordinance of 1787 is passed, establishing the Northwest Territory and laying the groundwork for the eventual creation of new states.

Georgia ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the fourth State.

Connecticut ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the fifth State.

The First Fleet, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, arrives at Port Jackson, Australia, establishing the first European settlement; the British colony of New South Wales.  The settlement was a penal colony, consisting  of about 850 convicts and their Marine guards and officers. The early years were increasingly difficult ones as the colony struggled to establish and be able to feed. By 1792, the first signs of stability were appearing but Governor Phillip, weakened by illness and the deprivations of those years, returned to England, leaving the colony in the hands of military Lieutenant-Governors. January 26 is now celebrated nationally as "Australia Day". Many Aboriginal Australians refer to it as "Invasion Day." More

The first U.S. presidential election is held, resulting in George Washington's unanimous election as the nation's first president.

George Washington delivers the first State of the Union Address in New York City.

The British Parliament passes the Constitutional Act, dividing Canada into Upper Canada and Lower Canada.

The French National Convention declares King Louis XVI guilty of treason, leading to his execution.

King Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine during the French Revolution after voting unanimously to find the King guilty. For the first time in a thousand years, the French people were not ruled by a monarch. More

Louis XVI, the last King of France is executed by guillotine on January 23, 1793, during the French Revolution, he was 38.  The execution of his wife Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France, also by guillotine, took place on October 16, 1793.