News  January’s Collection Spotlight: Colonial Almanacs

An Astronomical Diary; Or, Almanack, 1771 and 1778

Compiled Nathanael Low and printed in Boston

Our tradition of starting the year with historical almanacs on display in our Collection Spotlight case continues this year! We’re sharing the 1771 and 1778 editions of An Astronomical Diary; Or Almanack, compiled by physicist and astronomer Nathanael Low in Boston. Published leading up to and then during the Revolutionary War, a small but interesting detail is found on their respective front covers. 1771 is listed as "In the XIth (eleventh year) of the Reign of King George III" and then 1778 is described as "The second Year of American Independence, which began July fourth, 1776." As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence this year, it is moving to see this contemporaneous and significant change in wording.

Read more about these almanacs in our blog and visit us from January 6 through February 3 to see them on display.