On This Day

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Historical Events in 1759

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  • Jan 11 1st American life insurance company incorporated, Philadelphia

British Museum Opens its Doors

Jan 15 British Museum opens in Montague House, London

British Museum ticket from 1790

Voltaire's "Candide" Published

Jan 15 Voltaire's satire "Candide" is published anonymously in five editions in five countries to scandalous acclaim (estimated date)

Enlightenment Philosopher Voltaire
  • Feb 28 Pope Clement XIII allows Bible to be translated into various languages
  • Mar 13 27th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
  • Apr 8 British troops chase French out of Masulipatam, India
  • Apr 13 French beat European Allies in Battle of Bergen

Buried in Westminster Abbey

Apr 20 George Frideric Handel is buried in Westminster Abbey, London

Composer George Frideric Handel
  • May 1 British fleet occupies Guadeloupe, West Indies, capturing it from France
  • May 31 The Province of Pennsylvania bans all theater productions

Siege of Quebec

Jun 27 British general James Wolfe begins the siege of Quebec.

British Army Officer James Wolfe
  • Jul 25 British capture Fort Niagara from French (7 Years' War)
  • Jul 26 11,000 British troops drive a token French garrison of 400 out of Fort Ticonderoga, New York
  • Aug 1 Battle at Minden, Westfalen: Ferdinand van Brunswick beats France
  • Aug 10 Carlos III crowned King of Spain
  • Aug 12 Battle of Kunersdorf - Russian-Austrian army overpowers Prussians
  • Aug 18 -19] 2nd sea battle of Lagos: England vs France
  • Sep 12 British soldiers capture the town of Quebec
  • Sep 13 British beat French forces at the battle of Plains of Abrahams near Quebec - kills both leading generals Wolfe and Montcalm
  • Sep 14 Austrian troops occupy Dresden
  • Sep 18 Battle of Quebec ends, French surrender to British who capture Quebec City
  • Oct 31 Earthquake in Safed, Palestine kills hundreds
  • Nov 20 Battle of Quiberon Bay begins: British win crucial naval victory over the French, thwarting a planned French invasion of Britain
  • Nov 21 Battle at Maxen: Prussian army surrenders to Austrians
  • Dec 13 First music store in America opens (Philadelphia)


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