World Events and Major Publications 1780-1795

Spearheaded by Empress Catherine II of Russia, The First League of Armed Neutrality was created in 1780 in opposition to the British Royal Navy's wartime seizure of goods that were being shipped by neutral countries.Denmark and Sweden agreed with Russia's protest and joined the League, which lasted until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War.
Portrait of Catherine II: http://www.flickr.com/photos/centralasian/5522888828/lightbox/

General George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau with nearly 18,000 American and French soldiers lay siege to Yorktown, a vital harbor in the lower Chesapeake Bay for British supply and troop movement.General Lord Cornwallis and 8,000 British troops try to defend the city in vain, and after nearly a month of fighting surrender to Washington and Rochambeau. This will prove to be the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War.
Surrendering Yorktown: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Flickr_-_USCapitol_-_Yorktown%2C_1781.jpg

The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Americans John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and John Jay successfully negotiate two key points of the treaty: 1). British recognition of American Independence, and 2). the delineation of boundaries. The latter will make it possible for American expansion west.

Turkey gives control of the Crimea over to Russia.

A fledgling country, the United States makes a bold move and adopts the dollar, the first decimal coinage system in history.

The United States Constitution is signed in Philadelphia. Although the initial form is drafted and signed, it is decided that it would not be ratified until approval from nine of the 13 original colonies. On June 21st, 1788, New Hampshire becomes the ninth state to approve the Constitution. It will still be nearly a year before the government officially begins operating under the Constitution. (March 4, 1789).

George Washington is inaugurated as the first U.S. President.

Portrait of Washington: http://www.flickr.com/photos/historyrewound/4116908055/lightbox/

Hungry, angry citizens storm the steps of the Bastille in Paris, and the French Revolution erupts. Over the next three years the absolute monarchy ruled by King Louis XVI will gradually lose power and eventually fall.

Painting of the Storming of the Bastille: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Anonymous_-_Prise_de_la_Bastille.jpg

The first United States census takes place. The census determines there are nearly 4 million people living in the U.S.. The most populated city, Philadelphia, boasts an impressive population of 42,000.

Benjamin Franklin dies at 84 years old. Over 20,000 mourners are present at his funeral in Philadelphia.