1790Dec, 17
Discovery of the Aztec calendar stone.
The Aztec sun stone (Spanish: Piedra del Sol) is a late post-classic Mexica sculpture housed in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, and is perhaps the most famous work of Mexica sculpture. It measures 358 centimetres (141 in) in diameter and 98 centimetres (39 in) thick, and weighs 24,590 kg (54,210 lb). Shortly after the Spanish conquest, the monolithic sculpture was buried in the Zócalo, the main square of Mexico City. It was rediscovered on 17 December 1790 during repairs on the Mexico City Cathedral. Following its rediscovery, the sun stone was mounted on an exterior wall of the cathedral, where it remained until 1885. Early scholars initially thought that the stone was carved in the 1470s, though modern research suggests that it was carved some time between 1502 and 1521.
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Events on 1790
- 8Jan
State of the Union address
George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address in New York City. - 11Feb
Abolitionism in the United States
The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, petitions U.S. Congress for the abolition of slavery. - 29May
Thirteen Colonies
Rhode Island becomes the last of the original United States' colonies to ratify the Constitution and is admitted as the 13th U.S. state. - 31Jul
Potash
The first U.S. patent is issued, to inventor Samuel Hopkins for a potash process. - 22Oct
Little Turtle
Warriors of the Miami people under Chief Little Turtle defeat United States troops under General Josiah Harmar at the site of present-day Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the Northwest Indian War.