1790

Centuries: 17th century - 18th century - 19th century

Decades: 1740s 1750s 1760s 1770s 1780s - 1790s - 1800s 1810s 1820s 1830s 1840s

Years: 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 - 1790 - 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795

• January 8 - George Washington gives the first State of the Union Address
• January 30 - The first boat specialized as a lifeboat is tested on the River Tyne.
• February 1 - In New York City the Supreme Court of the United States convenes for the first time.
• February 11 - Society of Friends petitions Congress for the abolition of slavery.
• March 1 - The first United States census is authorized
• May 29 - Rhode Island ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 13th U.S. state.
• The District of Columbia is created by an Act of Congress.
• Construction begins on the White House.

Arts, Sciences, Literature and Philosophy

• 1790 in literature:
  • Ethelinde, the Recluse of the Lake[?] - Charlotte Turner Smith
  • The Adventures of John of Gaunt[?] - James White

Births

• March 29 - John Tyler, 10th President of the United States (+ 1862)
• May 23 - Jules Dumont d'Urville, explorer (+ 1842)
• December 16 - Leopold I of Belgium
• Ignaz Assmayer[?], composer
• William Parry[?], Arctic explorer

Deaths

• February 20 - Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
• July 17 - Adam Smith, Scottish economist
• April 17 - Benjamin Franklin