1778

Events from the year **1778 in the United States**.

## Incumbents

* President of the Second Continental Congress: Henry Laurens (until December 10), John Jay (starting December 10)

## Events

### January - March

* January 18 – The third Pacific expedition of Capt. James Cook, with ships HMS *Resolution* and HMS *Discovery*, first view O'ahu then Kaua'i in the Hawaiian Islands, which he names the *Sandwich Islands*.
* February 5 – South Carolina becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
* February 6 – American Revolutionary War: In Paris the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce are signed by the United States and France, signaling official recognition of the new republic.
* February 14 – France is the first foreign country to recognize the flag of the United States, on the ship of John Paul Jones.
* February 23 – American Revolutionary War: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and begins to train the American troops.
* March 7 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Barbados.
* March 18 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Quinton's Bridge.

### April - June

* April 20 – John Paul Jones, in command of the Ranger, attacks Whitehaven in England, America's first naval engagement outside North America.
* April 24 – American Revolutionary War: North Channel Naval Duel.
* April 30 – The Great Chain across the Hudson is completed.
* May 1 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Crooked Billet.
* May 17 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Thomas Creek.
* May 20 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Barren Hill.
* May 25 – American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids begins.
* May 30 – Benedict Arnold signs U.S. oath of allegiance at Valley Forge.
* May 31 – American Revolutionary War: Mount Hope Bay raids ends.
* June 24 – A total solar eclipse takes place across parts of USA from Texas to Virginia.
* June 28 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Monmouth: George Washington's Continental Army battles the British general Sir Henry Clinton's army to a draw near Monmouth, New Jersey.
* June 30 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Alligator Bridge.

### July - September

* July 3 – American Revolutionary War: the Wyoming Massacre takes place near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, ending in a terrible defeat of the local colonists.
* July 4 – American Revolutionary War: George Rogers Clark takes Kaskaskia.
* July 27 – American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.
* August 21 – American Revolutionary War: Siege of Pondicherry begins.
* August 29 – American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Rhode Island takes place when the Continental Army attempts to retake Aquidneck Island from the British.
* September 1 – The Massachusetts Banishment Act, providing punishment for Loyalists, is passed.
* September 5 – American Revolutionary War: Grey's raid begins.
* September 7
	+ American Revolutionary War: Invasion of Dominica.
	+ American Revolutionary War: Siege of Boonesborough.
* September 17
	+ The Treaty of Fort Pitt is signed, the first formal treaty between the United States and a Native American tribe (the Lenape or Delaware).
	+ American Revolutionary War: Grey's raid ends.
	+ American Revolutionary War: Attack on German Flatts.
* September 19 – The Continental Congress passes the first budget of the United States.
* September 27 – American Revolutionary War: Baylor Massacre.
* September 30 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Edgar's Lane.

### October - December

* October 2 – American Revolutionary War: Raid on Unadilla and Onaquaga begins.
* October 6 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Chestnut Neck.
* October 15 – Affair at Little Egg Harbor.
* October 16 – American Revolutionary War: Raid on Unadilla and Onaquaga ends.
* October 24 – American Revolutionary War: Carleton's Raid begins.
* November 11 – American Revolutionary War: Cherry Valley massacre: British forces and their Iroquois allies attack a fort and the village of Cherry Valley, New York, killing 14 soldiers and 30 civilians.
* November 14 – American Revolutionary War: Carleton's Raid ends.
* November 26 – In the Hawaiian Islands, Capt. James Cook becomes the first European to land on Maui.
* November 30 – American Revolutionary War: Continental Army in winter quarters at Middlebrook Cantonment, New Jersey.
* December 15 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of St. Lucia.
* December 18 – American Revolutionary War: Capture of St. Lucia begins.
* December 28 – American Revolutionary War: Capture of St. Lucia ends.
* December 29 – American Revolutionary War: Capture of Savannah.

## Memoriam

* June 12 – Philip Livingston, merchant and statesman from New York City (aged 62; York, PA, USA)
* June 15 – William Henry Ferrell (aged 38; Washington County, VA, USA)