June 4. Annonay, France. For the first time in front of an audience, the Montgolfier brothers launch an unmanned hot air balloon, whose flight lasts ten minutes.
June 8. In Iceland the Laki volcano starts erupting. During the following eight monts, the ash fallout will have consequences on agriculture all over Europe.
September 3. With the Treaty of Paris, the British Empire acknowledges the independence of the United States of America.
