On This Day

The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is passed by the National Assembly during the F

The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is passed by the National Assembly during the French Revolution

The Constitution of 3 May 1791, titled the Government Act, was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792. The Commonwealth was a dual monarchy comprising the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania; the new constitution was intended to address political questions following a period of political agitation and gradual reform that began with the Convocation Sejm of 1764 and the election that year of the Commonwealth's last monarch, Stanisław August Poniatowski.

Historical Significance

The Constitution of 3 May 1791, titled the Government Act, was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792.

Key People

Georges Danton

revolutionary

French revolutionary

Events Before

  1. First US President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address

    The 1790 State of the Union Address was the inaugural State of the Union address, delivered by President George Washington to the United States Congress on January 8, 1790, at the Senate Chamber of…

  2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" premieres at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" premieres at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria

  3. King Gustav III leads Swedish naval forces to victory over the Russian Baltic fleet during the Second Battle of Svensksu

    King Gustav III leads Swedish naval forces to victory over the Russian Baltic fleet during the Second Battle of Svensksund, destroying or capturing one-third of the Russian ships and ending the Russo-Swedish War

  4. French Revolution: The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is adopted, putting the Catholic Church in France under the cont

    French Revolution: The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is adopted, putting the Catholic Church in France under the control of the state

  5. Danish Crown Prince Frederick (Later Frederick VI) marries his cousin Marie Sophie of Hesse-Kassel at Gottorp Castle

    Danish Crown Prince Frederick (Later Frederick VI) marries his cousin Marie Sophie of Hesse-Kassel at Gottorp Castle

Events After

  1. US postal service created, postage 6-12 cents depending on distance

    US postal service created, postage 6-12 cents depending on distance

  2. King Gustav III of Sweden is shot by Count Jacob Johan Anckarström at a masked ball at the opera and dies on March 29

    Jacob Johan Anckarström (11 May 1762 – 27 April 1792) was a Swedish military officer who is known as the assassin of King Gustav III of Sweden. He was convicted and executed for regicide.

  3. The Coinage Act is passed, establishing the United States Mint and authorizing the $10 Eagle, $5 Half-Eagle, $2.50 Quart

    The Coinage Act is passed, establishing the United States Mint and authorizing the $10 Eagle, $5 Half-Eagle, $2.50 Quarter-Eagle gold coins, and the silver dollar, half dollar, quarter, dime, and half-dime

  4. Brazilian revolutionary Tiradentes is hanged, drawn, and quartered in Rio de Janeiro

    Brazilian revolutionary Tiradentes is hanged, drawn, and quartered in Rio de Janeiro

  5. Guillotine first used in France, executes highwayman Nicolas Pelletier

    Nicolas Jacques Pelletier (1756 – 25 April 1792) was a French highwayman who was the first person to be executed by guillotine.

More from the 1790s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 3, 1791?
The Constitution of 3 May 1791, titled the Government Act, was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792. The Commonwealth was a dual monarchy comprising the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania; the new constitution was intended to address political questions following a period of political agitation and gradual reform that began with the Convocation Sejm of 1764 and the election that year of the Commonwealth's last monarch, Stanisław August Poniatowski.
Why is The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is p... significant?
The Constitution of 3 May 1791, titled the Government Act, was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792.
Who was involved in The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is p...?
Key figures include Georges Danton (revolutionary).

Explore More