Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis
Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1787. This year saw 43 significant events. 1 notable figure was born.
18th Century1780s
1787 Timeline
Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis
Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis
The First Fleet, headed by Arthur Phillip, sets sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia [1]
The First Fleet is the name given to the group of eleven ships carrying convicts, the first to do so, that left England in May 1787 and arrived in Australia in January 1788.
Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States
The United States Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States since taking effect in 1789.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his chamber piece "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (A Little Serenade)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major), K. 525, is a 1787 composition for a chamber ensemble by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526
US Constitution is signed by delegates at the Philadelphia Convention
The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12...
Opera "Don Giovanni," with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, premieres at the Estates
Opera "Don Giovanni," with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, premieres at the Estates Theatre in Prague
Shays' Rebellion suffers a setback when debt-ridden farmers, led by Capt Daniel Shays, fail to capture an arsenal at Spr
Shays' Rebellion suffers a setback when debt-ridden farmers, led by Capt Daniel Shays, fail to capture an arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts
Philadelphia's Free Africa Society organizes
Philadelphia's Free Africa Society organizes
1st Anglican bishops of NY & Pennsylvania consecrated in London
William White (April 4, 1748 N.S. – July 17, 1836) was the first and fourth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States (1789; 1795–1836), the first bishop of the Diocese of...
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II bans children under 8 from labor
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II bans children under 8 from labor
The charter establishing the institution now known as the University of Pittsburgh is granted
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Philadelphia's Free African Society forms
The Free African Society (FAS), founded in 1787, was a benevolent organization that held religious services and provided mutual aid for "free Africans and their descendants" in Philadelphia.
First American comedy play, "The Contrast," debuts in NYC
First American comedy play, "The Contrast," debuts in NYC
1st African American Masonic Lodge (African # 459) forms Prince Hall, Boston
1st African American Masonic Lodge (African # 459) forms Prince Hall, Boston
First US prison reform society formed, the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons led by Dr
First US prison reform society formed, the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons led by Dr. Benjamin Rush
British Parliament impeaches Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal
British Parliament impeaches Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal
English slave ship Sisters, en route from Africa to Cuba, capsizes killing hundreds
English slave ship Sisters, en route from Africa to Cuba, capsizes killing hundreds
Franklin College founded, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Now part of Franklin & Marshall College.
Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) is a private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention (held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) agree to requirement providing a senator
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention (held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) agree to requirement providing a senator must be at least 30 years old [1]
Oliver Ellsworth moves at the Federal Convention to call the government the United States
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
French government proclaims end to stamp/land tax
French government proclaims end to stamp/land tax
US Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787 (Northwest Ordinance), establishing the first organized US territory, setting r
US Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787 (Northwest Ordinance), establishing the first organized US territory, setting requirements for statehood, guaranteeing equal status with the original 13 states, outlawing slavery, and protecting civil liberties [1]
Parliament of Paris banished to Troyes
Parliament of Paris banished to Troyes
Swiss alpine explorer Horace Bénédict de Saussure becomes the third person to reach the top of Mont Blanc
Swiss alpine explorer Horace Bénédict de Saussure becomes the third person to reach the top of Mont Blanc
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begins debate on the first draft of the Constitution
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
Turkey declares war on Russia (Russo-Turkish War 1787-92)
Turkey declares war on Russia (Russo-Turkish War 1787-92)
Jews are granted permission in Budapest, Hungary, to pray in groups
Jews are granted permission in Budapest, Hungary, to pray in groups
John Fitch's steamboat completes its tests years before Fulton
A steamboat is a boat that is propelled primarily by steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels.
Prussian army moves into Netherlands
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
-16] Utrecht patriots flee to Amsterdam
-16] Utrecht patriots flee to Amsterdam
Prussian troops conquer Gorinchem
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
William V Prince of Orange returns to The Hague
William V Prince of Orange returns to The Hague
Congress sends the Constitution to state legislatures for their approval
The United States Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States since taking effect in 1789.
Columbia Rediviva leaves Boston on the first US voyage to circumnavigate the globe
Columbia Rediviva leaves Boston on the first US voyage to circumnavigate the globe
Russians under Suvorov defeat the Turks at Kinburn
Count Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov-Rymniksky, Prince of Italy (24 November [O.S. 13 November] 1729 or 1730 – 18 May [O.S.
Maagden House opens in Amsterdam
Maagden House opens in Amsterdam
Amsterdam surrenders to the Prussian invasion army
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
Boston African Americans petition the legislature for equal school facilities
Boston African Americans petition the legislature for equal school facilities
First free school in NYC (African Free School) opens
First free school in NYC (African Free School) opens
First Unitarian minister in US ordained, Boston
First Unitarian minister in US ordained, Boston
Spanish Governor-General José Basco y Vargas resigns and leaves the Philippines
Spanish Governor-General José Basco y Vargas resigns and leaves the Philippines
Laurens Pieter van de Speigel is appointed Dutch pension advisor
Laurens Pieter van de Speigel is appointed Dutch pension advisor
Karl Ferdinand von Graefe is born
Karl Ferdinand von Graefe, German pioneer of plastic surgery, known for german pioneer of plastic surgery, was born on 1787-03-08.
Events
The First Fleet, headed by Arthur Phillip, sets sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia [1]
The First Fleet is the name given to the group of eleven ships carrying convicts, the first to do so, that left England in May 1787 and arrived in Australia in January 1788.
Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States
The United States Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States since taking effect in 1789.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his chamber piece "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (A Little Serenade)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major), K. 525, is a 1787 composition for a chamber ensemble by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526
US Constitution is signed by delegates at the Philadelphia Convention
The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12...
Opera "Don Giovanni," with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, premieres at the Estates
Opera "Don Giovanni," with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, premieres at the Estates Theatre in Prague
Shays' Rebellion suffers a setback when debt-ridden farmers, led by Capt Daniel Shays, fail to capture an arsenal at Spr
Shays' Rebellion suffers a setback when debt-ridden farmers, led by Capt Daniel Shays, fail to capture an arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts
Philadelphia's Free Africa Society organizes
Philadelphia's Free Africa Society organizes
1st Anglican bishops of NY & Pennsylvania consecrated in London
William White (April 4, 1748 N.S. – July 17, 1836) was the first and fourth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States (1789; 1795–1836), the first bishop of the Diocese of...
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II bans children under 8 from labor
Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II bans children under 8 from labor
The charter establishing the institution now known as the University of Pittsburgh is granted
The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Philadelphia's Free African Society forms
The Free African Society (FAS), founded in 1787, was a benevolent organization that held religious services and provided mutual aid for "free Africans and their descendants" in Philadelphia.
First American comedy play, "The Contrast," debuts in NYC
First American comedy play, "The Contrast," debuts in NYC
1st African American Masonic Lodge (African # 459) forms Prince Hall, Boston
1st African American Masonic Lodge (African # 459) forms Prince Hall, Boston
First US prison reform society formed, the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons led by Dr
First US prison reform society formed, the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons led by Dr. Benjamin Rush
British Parliament impeaches Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal
British Parliament impeaches Warren Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal
English slave ship Sisters, en route from Africa to Cuba, capsizes killing hundreds
English slave ship Sisters, en route from Africa to Cuba, capsizes killing hundreds
Franklin College founded, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Now part of Franklin & Marshall College.
Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) is a private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention (held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) agree to requirement providing a senator
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention (held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) agree to requirement providing a senator must be at least 30 years old [1]
Oliver Ellsworth moves at the Federal Convention to call the government the United States
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
French government proclaims end to stamp/land tax
French government proclaims end to stamp/land tax
US Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787 (Northwest Ordinance), establishing the first organized US territory, setting r
US Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787 (Northwest Ordinance), establishing the first organized US territory, setting requirements for statehood, guaranteeing equal status with the original 13 states, outlawing slavery, and protecting civil liberties [1]
Parliament of Paris banished to Troyes
Parliament of Paris banished to Troyes
Swiss alpine explorer Horace Bénédict de Saussure becomes the third person to reach the top of Mont Blanc
Swiss alpine explorer Horace Bénédict de Saussure becomes the third person to reach the top of Mont Blanc
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia begins debate on the first draft of the Constitution
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
Turkey declares war on Russia (Russo-Turkish War 1787-92)
Turkey declares war on Russia (Russo-Turkish War 1787-92)
Jews are granted permission in Budapest, Hungary, to pray in groups
Jews are granted permission in Budapest, Hungary, to pray in groups
John Fitch's steamboat completes its tests years before Fulton
A steamboat is a boat that is propelled primarily by steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels.
Prussian army moves into Netherlands
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
-16] Utrecht patriots flee to Amsterdam
-16] Utrecht patriots flee to Amsterdam
Prussian troops conquer Gorinchem
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
William V Prince of Orange returns to The Hague
William V Prince of Orange returns to The Hague
Congress sends the Constitution to state legislatures for their approval
The United States Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States since taking effect in 1789.
Columbia Rediviva leaves Boston on the first US voyage to circumnavigate the globe
Columbia Rediviva leaves Boston on the first US voyage to circumnavigate the globe
Russians under Suvorov defeat the Turks at Kinburn
Count Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov-Rymniksky, Prince of Italy (24 November [O.S. 13 November] 1729 or 1730 – 18 May [O.S.
Maagden House opens in Amsterdam
Maagden House opens in Amsterdam
Amsterdam surrenders to the Prussian invasion army
The Prussian invasion of Holland was a military campaign under the leadership of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, against the rise of the democratic Patriot movement in the Dutch...
Boston African Americans petition the legislature for equal school facilities
Boston African Americans petition the legislature for equal school facilities
First free school in NYC (African Free School) opens
First free school in NYC (African Free School) opens
First Unitarian minister in US ordained, Boston
First Unitarian minister in US ordained, Boston
Spanish Governor-General José Basco y Vargas resigns and leaves the Philippines
Spanish Governor-General José Basco y Vargas resigns and leaves the Philippines
Laurens Pieter van de Speigel is appointed Dutch pension advisor
Laurens Pieter van de Speigel is appointed Dutch pension advisor
Famous Births
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1787?
- In 1787, there were 43 significant historical events. Notable events include Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis, The First Fleet, headed by Arthur Phillip, sets sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia [1], Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States.
- Who was born in 1787?
- 1 notable figure was born in 1787, including Karl Ferdinand von Graefe is born.