February 1797 in History

Events in History

Feb 4 Earthquake in Quito, Ecuador kills 41,000
Feb 12 Joseph Haydn's song "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser" (God Save Emperor Francis) premieres in Vienna

Victory in Battle

Feb 14 The Battle of Cape St Vincent: British fleet under Admiral Sir John Jervis defeats larger Spanish fleet under Admiral Don José de Córdoba y Ramos near Cape St. Vincent, Portugal. Captain Horatio Nelson distinguishes himself.

Feb 18 Trinidad is surrendered to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby

Historic Event

Feb 19 The Peace of Tolentino : Pope Pius VI cedes Papal territories of Avignon, Venaissin, Ferrara, Bologna, and the Romagna to France

Feb 21 Trinidad, West Indies, a Spanish colony, surrenders to the British

Last Invasion of Britain

Feb 22 The Last Invasion of Britain, launched by the French during the Revolutionary Wars, begins near Fishguard, Wales

French troops surrendering to British forces at Goodwick Sands near Fishguard in Wales. Drawing by James Baker.

Feb 24 Colonel William Tate and his force of 1,000-1,500 soldiers surrender after the Last Invasion of Britain (according to legend, to Welsh women in tall black hats, mistaken for elite guards regiment)
Feb 26 Bank of England issues first £1 note

Birthdays in History

Feb 6 Joseph Maria von Radowitz, German diplomat, born in Frankfurt, Germany (d. 1912)
Feb 22 William I, King of Prussia (1861-88) and the 1st German Emperor (1871-88), born in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1888)
Feb 28 Mary Lyon, American educator (Mt Holyoke) (Hall of Fame)
Feb 28 Frederick, prince of Netherlands, general and admiral (10 day campaign), born in Berlin (d. 1881)