Enlightenment · Oceania · Exploration

1779

Cook Killed at Kealakekua Bay

February 14, 1779

A stolen cutter led to a dispute on the beach. Cook fired at the crowd; Hawaiians stabbed and clubbed him in the surf. His officers saw him fall face-down in the shallows. The Hawaiians took his body for ceremonial treatment - it came back in pieces, and his crew sailed home with what they could retrieve.

More from 1779 Enlightenment

In context

Also in 1779 (3 other events on record)

Crompton Invents the Spinning Mule · Europe · Science
Spain Enters the American War · Europe · War
Hawaiian Priests Return Cook's Bones · Oceania · Exploration

Before and after in Oceania

Before: January 18, 1778: Cook Reaches Hawaii
After: January 26, 1788: First Fleet Arrives at Botany Bay

Before and after in Exploration

Before: January 18, 1778: Cook Reaches Hawaii
After: January 7, 1785: First Channel Crossing by Balloon

Era

Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.