1797 Facts for Kids

The year 1797 was a time of big changes, especially in Europe. Important events happened in politics and wars, shaping the future of many countries. This year saw new leaders, major battles, and the creation of things that are still important today, like national flags and famous ships.

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	17th century – 18th century – 19th century
Decades:	1760s 1770s 1780s – 1790s – 1800s 1810s 1820s
Years:	1794 1795 1796 – 1797 – 1798 1799 1800

Key Events of 1797
Important Births
Notable Deaths
Images for kids
See also

Key Events of 1797

January 3: The Treaty of Tripoli was signed in Algiers. This was a peace agreement between the United States and Tripoli. It helped set rules for shipping and trade between the two.
January 7: The Cisalpine Republic (a country in northern Italy) chose a new official flag. It was the green, white, and red tricolour, which is now the flag of Italy. This day is celebrated as the birthday of the Italian flag!
February 14: The Battle of Cape St. Vincent (1797) took place. This was a major naval battle during the French Revolutionary Wars. The British Navy fought against the Spanish Navy off the coast of Portugal.
February 18: The Spanish Governor Chacon peacefully gave up the colony of Trinidad and Tobago to a British naval force. This meant the islands became part of the British Empire.
February 22: French forces tried to invade Britain at Fishguard in Wales. However, this attempt was not successful.
February 26: The Bank of England, which is the national bank of Britain, started issuing the first one-pound notes. These were paper money worth one pound.
March 4: John Adams became the new President of the United States of America. He took over from George Washington.
May 12: During the War of the First Coalition, Napoleon conquered Venice. This ended 1100 years of independence for the city. The last leader of Venice, Ludovico Manin, stepped down.
July 24: The famous British admiral Horatio Nelson was wounded during a battle at Tenerife. He lost one of his arms in this fight.
September 7: The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed. This treaty officially ended the War of the First Coalition, which had been a major conflict in Europe.
October 21: In Boston Harbor, a new 44-gun ship called the USS Constitution was launched. This ship was built for the United States Navy to fight against Barbary pirates off the coast of Tripoli.
December 17: Napoleon led a successful French attack against Fort l'Aiguilette. This helped France secure control of Toulon.
There were large-scale mutinies (rebellions by sailors) in the Royal Navy.
The famous composer Joseph Haydn created the music for "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser." The tune of this song later became the music for the German national anthem, "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit."

Important Births

Date unknown: Mahmud Bayazidi, a Kurdish polymath (someone with knowledge in many different subjects).
August 30: Mary Shelley, a British writer. She is most famous for writing the classic novel Frankenstein.