References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 April 30.

1700 January 1 Protestant West-Europe (except England) begin using Gregorian calendar. [1] Russia replaces Byzantines with Julian calendar. [1] January 22 Jacob Balthasar Schutz composer, dies at 39. [1] January 26 In the Cascadia Subduction Zone of western North America, a magnitude 9 earthquake occurs, rocking a region 600 miles long that includes modern northern California, Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia. The earthquake set off a tsunami that not only struck Cascadia's Pacific coast, but also crossed the Pacific Ocean to Japan, where it damaged coastal villages. [53] February 19 Last day of the Julian calendar in Denmark. [1] February 27 Pacific island of New Britain discovered. [1] March 10 Diogo Diaz Melgaz composer, dies at 61. [1] March 25 England, France and Netherlands ratify second Extermination treaty. [1] May 1 John Dryden English poet/playwright (Rival Ladies), dies. [1] May 7 William Penn began monthly meetings for Blacks advocating emancipation. [1] August 8 Denmark signs the peace treaty of Traventhal with Sweden. [7] August 19 Russia declares war on Sweden. [7] November 20 At Narva, Swedish King Karl XII with about 10,000 men defeats the Russian army of 40,000. [7] December 1 Willem ten Rhijne Dutch physician in Batavia, dies at about 53. [1] December 12 Utrecht/Overijssel/Buren/Leerdam/Ijsselstein adopt Gregorian calendar. [1] December 31 Frisia/Groningen adopt Gregorian calendar, tomorrow is 1/12/1701. [1] 1701 January 1 Great Britain and Ireland union is in effect, creating United Kingdom. [1] Pietro Sanmartini composer, dies at 64. [1] January 4 Ernst R Tarhemberg Austria, field marshal, dies at 62. [1] January 12 Parts of the Netherlands (Frisia and Groningen) adopt the Gregorian calendar (others one year later). [1] January 18 Frederik I/Sophie Charlotte van Hanover crowned king/queen of Prussia. [1] [37] February 15 Adam Drese German composer, dies at 80. [1] March 9 France, Cologne and Bavaria sign alliance. [1] March 10 Johann Schelle composer, dies at 52. [1] March 27 Anne Hilarion de Cotentin count of Tourville/French Admiral, dies at 58. [1] March 28 Domenico Guidi Italian sculptor, dies at 75. [1] April 29 Drenthe Netherlands adopts Gregorian calendar, tomorrow is May 12, 1701. [1] May 12 Drenthe adopts Gregorian calendar (yesterday is 4/29/1701). [1] May 23 Captain Kidd hung in London after conviction of piracy and murder. [1] William Kidd Scottish pirate, hanged at London's Execution Dock. [1] June 12 Act of Settlement gives English crown to Sophia, Princess of Hanover. [1] July 24 French make first landing at site of Detroit. [1] September 6 James II king of England (1685-88), dies at 68. [1] October 9 Collegiate School of Ct (Yale U), chartered in New Haven. [1] 1702 January 6 Thomas Franklin English smith/uncle of B Franklin, dies. [1] January 13 Peter Rabus Dutch poet/translator (Great Name Book), dies at 41. [1] January 17 Thomas Franklin English smith/uncle of B Franklin, dies. [1] March 8 England's Queen Anne ascends throne upon death of King William III. [1] John de Baen portrait painter/etcher, buried at 69. [1] William III Dutch King of England (1689-1702), dies at 51. [1] March 11 First English daily newspaper, "Daily Courant", is published. [1] March 19 James II's daughter Anne Stuart becomes queen of England. [1] Willem III Henry [Dutch William], king of England/Scotland, dies at 51. [1] March 21 Queen Anne Stuart addresses English parliament. [1] April 20 Comet C/1702 H1 approaches within 0.0437 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth. [1] April 27 Jean Bart French captain/sea hero (Escape out of Plymouth), dies at 51. [1] May 5 Jacob Hintze composer, dies at 79. [1] May 14 England and Netherlands declares war on France and Spain. [1] Swedish troops under King Charles XII occupy Warsaw. [1] May 15 War of Spanish Succession, first American conflict between England and France. [1] 1703 January 16 Matteo Coferati composer, dies at 64. [1] March 3 Robert Hooke scientific genius, dies in London. [1] March 20 Johann Kunckel/Kunkel German alchemist/ambassador to Sweden, dies. [1] April 26 Georg Christoph Leuttner composer, dies at 58. [1] May 1 Battle at Rultusk: Swedish army beats Russians. [1] Kiva Yoshinaka Japanese monarch, murdered. [1] May 2 Portugal signs treaty with England to become a Great Covenant. [1] May 3 Eglon van de Down still-life painter, dies. [1] May 16 Charles Perrault author/fairy tale writer, dies. [1] May 18 Dutch and English troops occupy Cologne. [1] May 21 Roemer Vlacq Dutch Admiral, dies in battle. [1] May 26 Samuel Pepys English marine expert (Diary)/composer, dies at 70. [1] May 27 Saint Petersburg (Leningrad) founded by Peter the Great. [1] November 24 First Lutheran pastor ordained in America, Justus Falckner at Philadelphia. [1] November 26 Bristol England damaged by hurricane, Royal Navy loses 15 warships. [1] December 27 England and Portugal sign Methuen-Asiento-trade agreement. [1] December 29 Mustapha II sultan (Turkey), dies at 39. [1] December 30 Tokyo hit by Earthquake; about 37,000 die. [1] 1704 January 21 Willem B Schepers Dutch merchant/ship owner, dies at about 83. [1] February 2 Guillaume F A de l'Hospital French mathematician, dies at about 62. [1] February 23 Georg Muffat French/German organist/composer, dies at 50. [1] February 24 Marc-Antoine Charpentier French composer (church music), dies. [1] February 28 Elias Neau, a Frenchman, opens a school for blacks in New York City, New York. [1] Indians attack Deerfield Massachusetts, kill 40, kidnap 100. [1] February 29 French and Indians attack Deerfield Massachusetts, kill 50, abduct 100. [1] March 17 Menno baron van Coehoorn fort builder/Coevorden/howitzer, dies at 63. [1] April 12 John Hudde 21x mayor of Amsterdam, dies at 76. [1] April 17 First successful US newspaper; published in Boston by John Campbell. [1] April 24 "Boston News-Letter", first successful newspaper in US, is established. [1] May 1 Boston Newsletter publishes first newspaper ad. [1] May 3 Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber Austrian violist/composer, dies at 59. [1] May 20 Elias Neau forms school for slaves in New York. [1] July 24 Great Britain takes Gibralter from Spain. [1] August 13 English defeat French at Battle of Blenheim. [1] 1705 January 8 Georg F Händels first opera "Almira" premieres in Hamburg. [1] January 15 Walraad the Young, Earl of Nassau-Ottweiler/Governor of Nijmegen, dies. [1] February 5 Jean Gilles composer, dies at 37. [1] April 2 Johann Lohner composer, dies at 59. [1] April 16 Queen Anne of England knights Isaac Newton at Trinity College. [1] April 23 Richard Steele's "Tender Husband", premieres in London. [1] May 5 Leopold I von Hapsburg Emperor of Holy Roman Empire, dies at 64. [1] December 29 Prosper Jolyot's "Idomenée" premieres in Paris. [1] 1706 January 26 Guillaume Poitevin composer, dies at 59. [1] February 13 Battle at Fraustadt Swedish army beats Russia/Saksen. [1] February 27 John Evelyn diarist, dies. [1] March 3 Johann Pachelbel organist/composer (Sterbens-Gedancken), dies at 52. [1] March 8 Vienna's Wiener Stadtbank established. [1] March 9 Johann Pachelbel German organist/composer, dies at 52. [1] April 19 Galenus Abrahamsz de Haen Dutch baptist leader, dies. [1] April 29 Emperor Jozef I becomes monarch of Cologne/Bavaria. [1] May 23 Battle of Ramillies-Marlborough defeats French; 17,000 killed. [1] November 3 In Italy, a violent earthquake killed 15,000 inhabitants. [53] December 9 Pedro II king of Portugal (1683-1706), dies at 58. [1] December 28 Pierre Bayle French theologist (History of Criticism), dies at 59. [1] 1707 January 1 Jacob V succeeds his father Pedro II as king of Portugal. [1] January 4 Louis Willem I count of Baden-Baden, dies. [1] February 20 Aurangzeb Mogul emperor of India (1658-1707), dies. [1] March 3 Aurangzeb Emperor of India (1658-1707), dies at 88. [1] March 30 Sébastien le Prestre Vauban French fortress architect, dies at 73. [1] April 6 Willem Van de Velde the Young, Dutch seascape painter, dies a 73. [1] April 25 Battle of Almansa-Franco-Spanish forces defeat Anglo-Portuguese. [1] April 29 English/Scottish parliament accept Act of Union, form Great Britain. [1] May 1 England, Wales and Scotland form Great Britain. [1] May 3 Michiel de Swaen South Netherlands physician/poet, dies at 53. [1] May 9 Dietrich Buxtehude German organist/composer, dies at about 69. [1] December 1 Jeremiah Clarke composer, dies. [1] December 24 Noel Coypel French painter, dies at 78. [1] 1708 January 23 Thomas Bullis composer, dies at 80. [1] February 24 Prince Johan Willem Friso sworn in as viceroy of Groningen. [1] February 28 Slave revolt, Newton, Long Island New York, 11 die. [1] March 23 English pretender to the throne James III lands at Firth of Forth. [1] March 27 English pretender to the throne James III flees to Dunkerk. [1] April 30 Simon de Vries book seller/writer (Unequal), dies. [1] May 27 Jacques Danican Philidor composer, dies at 51. [1] August 29 Haverhill, Mass destroyed by French and Indians. [1] December 1 Great Alliance occupies Brussels. [1] December 14 Prosper Jolyot's "Electre" premieres in Paris. [1] December 29 Great Alliance occupies Gent. [1] December 31 Great Alliance captures Bridge. [1] 1709 January 5 Sudden extreme cold kills 1000s of Europeans. [1] January 11 Colley Cibber's "Rival Fools" premieres in London. [1] February 1 British sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after being marooned on a desert island (Fernandez Island) for five years, his story is the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe". [1] February 8 Giuseppi Torelli Italian composer, dies at 50. [1] March 8 William Cowper/Cooper English anatomist, dies at about 62. [1] March 27 Dike at Hardinxveld breaks (Alblasserwaard flooded). [1] April 12 First edition of Tattler magazine in England. [1] April 26 Frisian viceroy Johan Willem Friso marries countess Maria Louisa. [1] June 28 In the early morning, about 22,000 Swedes attack the Poltava defenders of about 45,000 Russians. By mid-day, the fighting ends. The Swedes are defeated, with some 7,000 killed and 2,500 captured. The King and the remaining army of about 15,000 retreat south-west to Perevolotjna. [7] August 8 First known ascent in hot-air balloon, Bartolomeu de Gusmao (indoors). [1] September 11 English, Dutch and Austrians defeat French in Battle of Malplaquet. [1] December 1 Abraham a Santa Clara [Johann Megerle] German court vicar, dies at 65. [1] December 8 Thomas Corneille French dramatist, dies at 74. [1] 1710 January 27 Czar Peter the Great sets first Russian state budget. [1] February 20 Johan Willem Friso becomes viceroy of Groningen Netherlands. [1] April 18 Pierre de La Barre composer, dies at 75. [1] May 10 Georg Dietrich Leiding composer, dies at 46. [1] December 8 Battle at Brihuega: English General Stanhope captured. [1] December 11 Battle of Villa Viciosa (France beat Habsburgers). [1] December 18 Peter Codde apostile vicar (1688-1704), dies at 62. [1] 1711 January 8 Philips van Almonde Zealand Lieutenant-Admiral, dies at 66. [1] February 10 Lukas Fencer Dutch poet (Meleager and Atalante), dies at 22. [1] February 14 Händels opera Rinaldo, premieres. [1] February 21 Joan van Hoorn Governor-General of Netherlands-Indies (1707-09), dies at 57. [1] February 24 Händel's opera "Rinaldo" premieres, London. [1] March 1 "The Spectator" begins publishing (London). [1] March 8 Antoin de Guiscard tries English premier Haley for murder. [1] April 17 Charles VI Habsburg becomes king of Austria. [1] Jozef I [Habsburg] emperor of Germany (1705-11), dies at about 32. [1] May 1 Arch duke Karel of Austria/Hungarian rebellion sign Peace of Szatmar. [1] December 17 Arnold Moonen vicar/literature (Defeated German Spraekkunst), dies. [1] December 31 Duke of Marlborough fired as English army commander. [1] 1712 February 18 Duke of Bourgondië French king Louis XIV's grandson, dies. [1] March 28 Jan van der Heyden Dutch inventor (street lantern), dies at 75. [1] April 5 John Luyken poet/etcher (species company), dies at 63. [1] April 6 Slave revolt in New York. [1] April 7 Slave revolt (New York City, New York). [1] April 10 Yusuf Nabi Turkish poet (Hayriye), dies at about 77. [1] April 29 Juan Bautista Jose Cabanilles composer, dies at 67. [1] April 30 Philippus van Limborch remonstrants theologist/vicar, dies at 78. [1] May 17 Maximilian Emanuel of Bavaria honored as "sovereign of Netherlands". [1] May 22 Emperor Karel VI crowned king of Hungary. [1] September 11 GD Cassini French astronomer, dies. [1] December 15 Sidney first Earl of Godolphine English minister of Finance, dies at 67. [1] 1713 January 8 Arcangelo Corelli composer/violinist (Concerti Grossi), dies at 59. [1] January 20 Pavao Vitezovic Croatian historian, dies. [1] January 30 England and Netherlands sign second anti-French boundary treaty. [1] February 10 Netherlands and England sign accord concerning anti-French Barrier. [1] February 15 Anthony Ashley Cooper third Earl of Shaftesbury, writer, dies. [1] February 18 French invade under Jacques Cassard on Curaçao. [1] February 25 Frederik I King of Prussia (1701-13), dies at 55. [1] February 27 French troops bomb Willemstad Curaçao. [1] March 26 Pal Esterhazy composer, dies at 77. [1] March 27 Spain losses Menorca and Gibraltar. [1] April 11 Peace of Utrecht; France cedes Maritime provinces to Britain - English, Prussian, Savoois, Portuguese and French peace treaty. [1] April 12 Dutch State-General signs peace with France Netherlands loses Orange Princedom. [1] April 19 Emperor Karel VI ends Pragmatic Sanctions. [1] 1714 January 7 Typewriter patented by Englishman Henry Mill (built years later). [1] January 19 Richard Steele publishes "The Crisis", defending Hanoverian success. [1] February 2 Nicholas Rowe's "tragedy of Jane Shore" premieres in London. [1] February 4 Duke of Berry French King Louis XIV's grandson, dies. [1] February 17 Parliament of Paris accepts Pope Clemens XI's "Unigenitus" degree. [1] March 6 Peace of Rastatt: French emperor Charles VI of Habsburg. [1] March 27 Anton Ulrich German duke of Brunswick/poet, dies at 80. [1] April 4 Karel duke of Berry/French heir to the throne, dies. [1] April 17 Philipp Heinrich Erlebach composer, dies at 56. [1] July 14 Battle of Aland, Russian fleet overpowers larger Swedish fleet. [1] September 7 Treaty of Baden-French retain Alsace, Austria gets right bank of Rhine. [1] November 11 A highway in the Bronx is laid out, later renamed East 233rd Street. [1] 1715 February 3 Gottfried Vopelius composer, dies at 70. [1] February 17 Antoine Galland French interpreter, dies at 68. [1] March 11 Jan-Erasmus Quellinus Flemish painter, dies at 80. [1] April 15 Uprising of Yamasse-Indians in South Carolina. [1] April 20 Nicholas Rowe's "Tragedy of Lady Jane Gray", premieres in London. [1] April 29 John Flamsteed observes Uranus for 6th time. [1] May 1 Prussia declares war on Sweden. [1] May 3 Edmund Halley observes total eclipse phenomenon "Baily's Beads". [1] May 4 French manufacturer debuts first folding umbrella (Paris France). [1] July 29 Ten Spanish treasure galleons sunk off Florida coast by hurricane. [1] September 1 Louis XIV the great, king of France (1643-1715), dies at 76. [1] November 15 Barrier Treaty, Austria cedes area to the Netherlands. [1] November 25 First English patent granted to an American, for processing corn. [1] December 12 Russian/Prussian troops occupy Stralsund. [1] December 15 George Hickes English linguist (Old German Philology), dies at 73. [1] December 22 English pretender to the throne James III lands at Peterhead. [1] December 23 Russian/Prussian troops occupy Stralsund. [1] December 24 Swedish troops occupy Norway. [1] 1716 January 1 William Wycherley dramatist (The Country Wife), dies at about 75. [1] January 8 Dutch gang leader "Sjako" arrested. [1] February 6 England and Netherlands renew alliance. [1] February 10 Scottish pretender to the throne James III Edward returns to France. [1] March 8 Harald Vallerius composer, dies at 69. [1] March 10 Wenzel Ludwig von Radolt composer, dies at 48. [1] March 13 Georg Gabriel Schutz composer, dies at 46. [1] April 4 Russian and Prussian troops occupy Wismar. [1] April 8 Duke Karel Leopold of Mecklenburg-Schwerin signs covenant with Russia and marries Czar Peter the Great's niece. [1] April 15 Russian and Prussian troops occupy Wismar. [1] July 18 Jews are expelled from Brussels Belgium. [1] August 1 First sculling race (London Bridge to Chelsea). [1] September 14 First lighthouse in US lit (Boston Harbor). [1] November 26 First lion exhibited in America (Boston). [1] 1717 January 4 Netherlands, England and France sign Triple Alliance. [1] January 5 Prussian King Frederik Willem I buys conscript for nobles. [1] January 14 German mob leader "Sjako" sentenced to death in Amsterdam. [1] February 1 Henri d'Aguesseau's first appointment as chancellor of France. [1] March 3 Pierre Allix French/British theologist/vicar, dies at about 75. [1] August 17 Pioneer Daniel Boone's grandfather George sets sail from England to America. [5] December 25 Floods ravage Dutch coast provinces, 1000s killed. [1] 1718 January 9 France declares war on Spain. [1] January 17 Avalanche destroys every building in Leukerbad, Switzerland; kills 53. [1] February 23 François Fagel Dutch field marshal/mayor of Nimegen, dies at 63. [1] May 15 James Puckle, a London lawyer, patents world's first machine gun. [1] May 30 Arnold J van Keppel Earl of Albemarle/General, dies at about 48. [1] Bernard Nieuwentyt physician/theologist, dies at 63. [1] August 25 Hundreds of French colonists arrive in Louisiana; New Orleans, founded. [1] November 22 Edward "Blackbeard" Teach English pirate, dies off Virginia coast. [1] November 30 (about 2100 hours) At the siege of Fredrikshald, King Karl XII is struck in the head by a bullet, killing him instantly. (It is not know whether this is a stray bullet or fired at close range by an assassin.) [7] December 11 Battle at Frederikshall Norway. [1] December 17 England declares war on Spain. [1] 1719 January 5 England/Hannover/Saxony-Poland/Austria sign anti-Prussian/Russian pact. [1] January 23 Principality of Liechtenstein created within Holy Roman Empire. [1] February 25 Giovanni Maria Casini composer, dies at 66. [1] March 7 Steven J Vennekool Amsterdam's master builder, buried. [1] April 7 Jean-Baptiste de la Salle French priest/theory/saint, dies at 67. [1] April 15 Johann Friedrich Treiber composer, dies at 76. [1] April 25 Daniel Defoes publishes "Robinson Crusoe". [1] December 2 Pasquier Quesnel French theologist (La Foi), dies at 85. [1] December 11 First recorded display of Aurora Borealis in US (New England). [1] December 16 Adrian "Aart" van Wijck Dutch theologist (anti-jansenism), dies at 78. [1] December 18 Thomas Fleet publishes "Mother Goose's Melodies For Children". [1] December 31 John Flamsteed first Astronomer Royal, dies at 73. [1]