January 1785

Friday 07:

Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jeffries travel from Dover, England to Calais, France in a gas balloon, becoming the first to cross the English Channel by air.

Thursday 13:

John Walter publishes first issue of the Daily Universal Register (later renamed The Times).

Wednesday 26:

Benjamin Franklin writes a letter to his daughter expressing disappointment over the selection of the eagle as the symbol of the United States; he wanted the turkey.

Thursday 27:

The University of Georgia is founded.