On This Day

What Happened in March 1762

Historical Events


Event of interestEvent of Interest

Mar 10 French Huguenot Jean Calas, who was wrongly convicted of killing his son, dies after being tortured by authorities; the event inspires Voltaire to begin campaign for religious tolerance and legal reform

Enlightenment Philosopher Voltaire
Enlightenment Philosopher
Voltaire
  • Mar 17 1st St Patrick's Day parade in NYC

Famous Birthdays

  • Mar 7 Sebastiaan Cornelius Nederburgh, Dutch statesman, director-general East Indies Company, responsible for Nederburgh's Charter), born in The Hague, Netherlands (d. 1811)
  • Mar 24 Marcos Antonio da Fonseca, Portuguese opera composer (Portogallo)
  • Mar 25 Francesco Giuseppi Pollini, Italian composer and pupil of Mozart, born in Ljubljana (d. 1846)

Famous Deaths

  • Mar 4 Johannes Zick, German fresco painter (b. 1702)
  • Mar 21 Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, French astronomer (b. 1713)