On This Day

Britain declares war on France (7 Years' or French & Indian War)

The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent.

The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent. The warring states were Great Britain and Prussia fighting against France and Austria, with other countries joining these coalitions: Portugal, Spain, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia. Related conflicts include the Third Silesian War, French and Indian War, Third Carnatic War, Anglo-Spanish War (1762–1763), and Spanish–Portuguese War.

Although the War of the Austrian Succession ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748), none of the signatories were happy with the terms, and it was generally viewed as a temporary armistice.

Historical Significance

The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent.

Events Before

  1. Samuel Johnson's "A Dictionary of the English Language" is published in London

    A Dictionary of the English Language, sometimes published as Johnson's Dictionary, was published on 15 April 1755 and written by Samuel Johnson.

  2. Lisbon earthquake kills more than 50,000 in Portugal

    The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, hit the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40...

  3. Treaty of Giyanti / Gianti Java dividing the once powerful Javanese Sultanate of Mataram signed by the Dutch and Javanes

    Treaty of Giyanti / Gianti Java dividing the once powerful Javanese Sultanate of Mataram signed by the Dutch and Javanese princes Mangkubumi and Pakubuwono

  4. 1st steam engine in America installed, to pump water from a mine

    1st steam engine in America installed, to pump water from a mine

  5. Commodore William James captures the pirate fortress of Suvarnadurg on west coast of India

    Commodore William James captures the pirate fortress of Suvarnadurg on west coast of India

Events After

  1. American revolution patriot Paul Revere (22) weds Sarah Orne in Bridgewater, Massachusetts

    American revolution patriot Paul Revere (22) weds Sarah Orne in Bridgewater, Massachusetts

  2. British forces led by Colonel Clive and Admiral Watson occupy Calcutta, India

    Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774), also known as Clive of India, was the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency.

  3. Failed assassination attempt on French King Louis XV by Damiens

    Robert-François Damiens was a French domestic servant whose attempted assassination of King Louis XV in 1757 culminated in his public execution.

  4. German Diet declares war on Prussia

    The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent.

  5. On board HMS Monarch (his own flagship), British Admiral John Byng is executed by firing squad for failing to come to ai

    On board HMS Monarch (his own flagship), British Admiral John Byng is executed by firing squad for failing to come to aide of besieged British garrison

More from the 1750s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 17, 1756?
The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent. The warring states were Great Britain and Prussia fighting against France and Austria, with other countries joining these coalitions: Portugal, Spain, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia. Related conflicts include the Third Silesian War, French and Indian War, Third Carnatic War, Anglo-Spanish War (1762–1763), and Spanish–Portuguese War.
Why is Britain declares war on France (7 Years' or French & Indian War) significant?
The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a global war fought by numerous great powers, primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and the Indian subcontinent.

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