1770

Events 
 March 5 – Boston Massacre: 5 Americans killed by British troops in an event that would help start the American Revolutionary War 5 years later.
 May 14 – Marie Antoinette arrives at the French court.
 May 16 – 14-year old Marie Antoinette marries 15-year old Louis-Auguste (who later becomes Louis XVI King of France).
 May 16 – Fireworks at the wedding of the crown prince of France in Paris cause a fire – 800 dead
 June 3 – Gasper de Portola and Father Junipero Serra establish Monterey, which was the capital of California from 1777-1849.
 July 1 – Comet Lexell (D/1770 L1) passes the Earth
 August 22 – James Cook claimed for Great Britain the eastern coast of New Holland (Australia)
 Joseph Priestley, British chemist, recommends the use of a rubber to remove pencil marks.
 Joseph Louis Lagrange proves Bachet's Conjecture.

 Births 
 December 17 – Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised).