1796
Jenner's Smallpox Vaccination
A Gloucestershire country doctor inoculated an eight-year-old boy with pus from a cowmaid's cowpox lesion, then challenged him with smallpox.
Washington's Farewell Address
In the Philadelphia press - he never delivered it as a speech - Washington published an address declining a third term and warning against permanent foreign…
White Lotus Rebellion Begins
In the mountainous border of Hubei, Sichuan, and Shaanxi, Buddhist-millenarian peasants rose against Qing corruption and taxation.
Napoleon's Italian Campaign
Given the ragged Army of Italy, Napoleon descended the Alps and in a series of lightning marches beat the Austrians at Lodi, Arcole, and Rivoli.
Laplace's Exposition du système du monde
The great French mathematician published a layman's summary of his celestial mechanics - including the nebular hypothesis that the solar system had formed…
Qianlong Abdicates
After sixty years on the throne - refusing to exceed his grandfather Kangxi's reign - Qianlong formally abdicated to his son Jiaqing.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1796?
Saeculum lists 6 events from 1796. The most significant is Jenner's Smallpox Vaccination: A Gloucestershire country doctor inoculated an eight-year-old boy with pus from a cowmaid's cowpox lesion, then challenged him with smallpox.
What era was 1796 part of?
1796 falls within the Enlightenment (1651-1800). Reason, revolution, and the first global wars.
Which regions saw notable events in 1796?
The events from 1796 span Europe, North America and East Asia.