1789 - What happened in 1789 ?

January 1789

Wednesday 21:

The first American novel, The Power of Sympathy or the Triumph of Nature Founded in Truth, is printed in Boston, Massachusetts.

Friday 23:

Georgetown College becomes the first Catholic college in the United States (Washington, DC).

February 1789

Wednesday 04:

George Washington is unanimously elected to be the first President of the United States by the U.S. Electoral College.

March 1789

Wednesday 04:

US Inauguration Day

April 1789

Wednesday 01:

In New York City, the United States House of Representatives holds its first quorum and elects Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania as its first House Speaker.

Tuesday 28:

Mutiny on the HMS Bounty. Captain William Bligh and 18 sailors are set adrift and the rebel crew sets sail for Pitcairn Island.

Thursday 30:

On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first elected President of the United States.

May 1789

Tuesday 05:

In France, the Estates-General convenes for the first time in 150 years.

June 1789

Sunday 14:

Mutiny on the Bounty: HMAV Bounty mutiny survivors including Captain William Bligh and 18 others reach Timor after a nearly 4,000 mile journey in an open boat.

Wednesday 17:

In France, the Third Estate declares itself as a national assembly.

Saturday 20:

Deputies of the French Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath

July 1789

Thursday 09:

In Versailles, the National Assembly reconstitutes itself as the National Constituent Assembly and begins preparations for a French constitution.

Friday 10:

Alexander Mackenzie reaches Mackenzie River Delta.

Tuesday 14:

French Revolution: Citizens of Paris storm the Bastille and free seven prisoners.

Wednesday 15:

Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette, by acclamation, named colonel-general of the new National Guard of Paris.

Monday 27:

The first U.S. federal government agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs, is established (later renamed Department of State).

August 1789

Tuesday 04:

1789 - The feudal system is abolished in France.

Friday 07:

The United States War Department is established.

Wednesday 26:

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen approved by Constituent Assembly at Palace of Versailles

September 1789

Wednesday 02:

The United States Department of the Treasury is founded.

Friday 11:

Alexander Hamilton is appointed as first Secretary of the Treasury.

Tuesday 22:

The position of United States Postmaster General established.

Friday 25:

The Congressional Apportionment Amendment to the United States Constitution is proposed at the U.S. Congress

Tuesday 29:

1789 - The first U.S. Congress adjourns.

October 1789

Saturday 03:

George Washington proclaims the first Thanksgiving Day.

November 1789

Friday 06:

Pope Pius VI appoints Father John Carroll as the first Roman Catholic bishop in the United States.

Friday 20:

New Jersey becomes the first U.S. state to ratify the Bill of Rights.

Saturday 21:

North Carolina ratifies the United States Constitution and is admitted as the 12th U.S. state.