We trace the history of Britain in the 18th century.
1700 | ||
1702 Anne becomes queen, succeeding William II.1707 The Kingdom of Great Britain is formed: England and Scotland became one country. |
1704 Battle of Blenheim: A combined Dutch and English army defeats France in Bavaria. |
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1710 | ||
1710 Wren’s St Paul’s cathedral is completed.
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1711 The first race meeting is held at Ascot Racecourse.
1712 The last execution for witchcraft is carried out. |
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1715 A total solar eclipse is seen in England. Another total solar eclipse has not been seen in London since, and will not be seen for another 600 years. |
1714 Queen Anne dies. George I of Hanover succeeds her. |
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1720 | ||
1721 Robert Walpole becomes first Prime Minister.1729 The first fixed point for crossing the River Thames is built: the Putney Bridge.
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1727 George I dies, and is succeeded by George II.
1728 Astronomer James Bradley first calculated the speed of light. |
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1730 | ||
1733 10 Downing Street is first occupied by the prime minister. |
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1737 HMS Victory, the oldest ship still in commission in the British Navy, is launched. |
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1739 Britain declares war on Spain in the ‘War of Jenkins’ Ear’. A British captain, named Jenkins, had his ear cut off by Spanish sailors – Britain declared war in retaliation.
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1740 | ||
1744 George Anson finishes his four-year voyage around the world. |
1746 The Battle of Culloden, the last battle to have taken place on British soil, is fought. |
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1750 | ||
1751 Parliament passes the Calendar Act introducing the Gregorian Calendar, correcting the 11-day difference and making 1 January New Year’s Day.1759 The British Museum is founded. |
1755 Samuel Johnson publishes A Dictionary of the English Language.1756 British and French Seven Years War begins. |
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1760 | ||
1760 George III succeeds his father George II. |
1768 First modern circus is held with acrobats on galloping horses, in London. |
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1768 The Royal Academy of Arts was founded. |
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1770 | ||
1770 Lord North is appointed Prime Minister. |
1778 The world’s first iron bridge is built. |
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1780 | ||
1781 The planet Uranus is first discovered by William Herschel. It is first called ‘George’s Star’, in honour of King George III. |
1783 William Pitt the Younger becomes Prime Minister. |
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1788 The first edition of the Times is published.1789 The Thames and Severn Canal opens. |
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1790 | ||
1793 Britain goes to war with France. |
1796 Edward Jenner, discoverer of the vaccine, successfully cures James Phipps of smallpox. |
Words: Khusrau Islam
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