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The Year 1778 — Newsroom
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Valley Forge Encampment Ends
On June 19, 1778, the Continental Army departed Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, ending a transformative six-month winter encampment (December 19, 1777–June 19, 1778). Approximately 11,000 soldiers had ...
June 19, 1778
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Military Events
Valley Forge Encampment Ends
On June 19, 1778, the Continental Army departed Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, ending a transformative six-month winter encampment (December 19, 1777–...
Political Events
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Treaty of Alliance with the Delaware Nation (Septemb...
The September 17, 1778 Treaty of Alliance between the United States and the D...
Diplomatic Intelligence & Espionage Networks of 1778
The year 1778 witnessed the consolidation of American intelligence operations...
Britain Declares War on France
On March 17, 1778, the British government formally declared war on France, es...
Ethan Allen and the Vermont Republic — Revolutionary...
Having declared independence in 1777 and adopted North America's first writte...
Military Events
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Capture of Savannah
The Capture of Savannah on December 29, 1778, opened the British "southern st...
Battle of St. Lucia (December 1778)
The Campaign for St. Lucia from December 14–28, 1778 represents the first maj...
Battle of Rhode Island
The Battle of Rhode Island, fought on August 29, 1778, on Aquidneck Island ne...
Battle of Ushant (1778)
The Battle of Ushant (also known as the First Battle of Ushant) was fought on...
Science & Discovery
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Total Solar Eclipse of June 24, 1778
A total solar eclipse crossed North America on June 24, 1778—the first total ...
David Rittenhouse — Astronomer and Instrument Maker ...
Philadelphia naturalist David Rittenhouse observed the June 24, 1778 solar ec...
Mesmerism and Anton Mesmer's Rise in 1778
Franz Anton Mesmer arrived in Paris in February 1778 and established a clinic...
Captain Cook's Discovery of Hawaii
Captain James Cook, commanding HMS *Resolution* and HMS *Discovery* on his th...
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Military Events
Capture of Savannah
Dec 29
Military Events
Battle of St. Lucia (December 1778)
Dec 15
Key Figures
Joseph Banks (1743–1820)
Nov 30
Arts & Culture
Raquel Premieres in Madrid—Spanish Neoclas...
Oct 30
Political Events
Treaty of Alliance with the Delaware Natio...
Sep 17
Political Events