Year 1773 (MDCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). Events of 1773 January–June January 12 – The first American museum opens to the public in Charleston, South Carolina. January 17 – Captain James Cook becomes the first European explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle. January 18 – The first Opera-performance in the Swed… (More on 1773)