Google for the date or "day of darkness" - more later..
here's a link re: "Day of Darkness" snoop around - should be lots of online info..

I've lived through a 'day of darkness'. Not in 1780 obviously but in my first year in Aus, Melbourne (1983). Being only 12 I thought the world was coming to an end however now it has become known here as 'Ash Wednesday' and there was nothing supernatural about it. Just a LOT of ash from bushfires (forest fires) and a huge red dust cloud.

Its a good way for the church to make money. Make a holiday based on one day when there was a big black cloud in the sky...

No large forest fires were reported in the area or anywhere for that matter - no solar eclipse - no volcanic activity either - no reasonable explanations for this mysterious occurrance. It was suggested that perhaps an interstellar dust cloud traveresed between the Earth and the Sun. Implausible for any number of reasons but basically the only reasonable explanation - having discounted the other more prosaic explanations.

It was a very dark day - dark as night. Animals returned to their stables (at noon) to settle down for the night. People flipped their wigs. No precipitate (ash) was recorded. It was a very strange day indeed. Imagine if it happened in today's world. People would do multiple handspring-backflip combinations down the middle of Main St.

Did you actually read the article you had provided a link for ?

If so you would have noticed the 'Summary' points - in particular points 4 - 7. Has the english language dramatically changed lately without my knowledge? I'm confused - I'd better get THE new english dictionary you are using.

Maybe an alien ship just got in the way of the sun, like they were playing a prank on all the people on earth. Think about it, "haha lets block out the sun and all the religions will freak out man!"

lmao damn them aliens!

Sounds cool. Does it happen often, like almost a annual thing?

No, it's not annual and nothing quite like it since (at least not here in Melb.). We do get lots of bushfires but the firies (fire brigade) have gottn good at puttn them out.

cheers

For those who don't actually want to read the article or summary..
It clearly states that there were indeed some large forest fires burning that day, as well as rain and thunderstorms..The rain was found to carry ash from burning leaves..
There you go!

you guys get more brush fires down under than we do here in the colonies do'nt ya?are there some places over there that get snow?

Yep, I thinks so. We only have snow in winter on the highest peaks in south-eastern Aus. About 6 or so peaks. If you didn't specifically drive the 100's of k's to see the snow you may never see it in your lifetime here. I'm originally from Czech & grew up with snow & white christmas, in Aus we have sweltering heat during christmas & we go to the beach.

Never heard of the day of darkness... thanks for the link, im reading it now, i will get back to you guys with what i think after i read it thanks again!!! =)