History in the 1790s

The following events occurred in the decade beginning in 1790. These are the events that shaped the world during the lives of your ancestors, both here in the United States and throughout the world. If you've ever wondered who your ancestors voted for, what their primary mode of transportation was, and how they received the news of their day — this may give you a clue.

1790 • 1800 • 1810 • 1820 • 1830 • 1840 • 1850 • 1860
1870 • 1880 • 1890 • 1900 • 1910 • 1920 • 1930

The following are notable events of this decade:

• President George Washington gives first State of the Union address (8 Jan 1790)
• The Supreme Court of the United States convenes (in NY City) for the first time (1 Feb 1790)
• The first U.S. Census is authorized (1 Mar 1790)
• Ben Franklin dies in Philadelphia at the age of 84 (17 April 1790)
• Rhode Island ratifies the U.S. Constitution and becomes the 13th state (29 May 1790)
• The U.S. House of Representatives votes to locate the nations capital along the Potomac (10 July 1790)
• Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart dies at age 35 (5 Dec 1791)
• President Washington signes Postal Service Act establishing U.S. Post Office (20 Feb 1792)
• President George Washington uses veto power for the first time in U.S. history (5 Apr 1792)
• Kentucky is admitted as the 15th U.S. state (1 Jun 1792)
• First celebration of Columbus Day in the US held in New York (12 Oct 1792)
• George Washington re-elected as President of the United States (3 Dec 1792)
• Farmers in Pennsylvania rebel against federal tax on liquor, launch Whiskey Rebellion (7 Aug 1794)
• Tennessee is admitted as the 16th U.S. state (1 Jun 1796)
• The United States Marine Corps was established (11 July 1798)

1790 • 1800 • 1810 • 1820 • 1830 • 1840 • 1850 • 1860
1870 • 1880 • 1890 • 1900 • 1910 • 1920 • 1930