1778

February 6. Louis XVI's France enters the war on the side of the Colonies.

April 1. Oliver Pollock, a businessman from New Orleans, is the first to use the "$" sign referring to the American dollar.

April 23. The continental Navy destroys British ships and fortifications at Whitehaven, Cumbria, Northern England.


May 30. Philosopher and novelist François-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire dies at the age of 83.

June 18. Continental troops reconquer Philadelphia.

July 2. Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau dies at the age of 66.

La Scala, one of the biggest theatres in the world, is under construction in Milan.