On This Day
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French King Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon

Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his...

Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign lasted 72 years and 110 days, which is the longest of any monarch in history. An emblem of the age of absolutism in Europe, Louis XIV's legacy includes French colonial expansion, the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War involving the Habsburgs, and a controlling influence on the style of fine arts and architecture in France, including the transformation of the Palace of Versailles into a center of royal power and politics.

Historical Significance

Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715.

Key People

Louis XIV

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Events Before

  1. Anne Stuart, later the British Queen Anne, marries Prince George of Denmark at the Chapel Royal

    Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 8 March 1702, and Queen of Great Britain and Ireland following the ratification of the Acts of Union 1707...

  2. Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is the first to report the existence of bacteria

    Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoekˌɦuk] ; 24 October 1632 – 26 August 1723) was a Dutch microbiologist and microscopist in the Golden Age of Dutch art, science and technology.

  3. Hendrik Casimir II of Nassau-Dietz marries Henriette Amalia

    Hendrik Casimir II of Nassau-Dietz marries Henriette Amalia

  4. Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I and King John III Sobieski of Poland sign a covenant against Turkey, beginning of the Holy

    Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I and King John III Sobieski of Poland sign a covenant against Turkey, beginning of the Holy League

  5. Pirates sack Velacruz, New Spain, taking 4,000 prisoners for ransom

    Pirates sack Velacruz, New Spain, taking 4,000 prisoners for ransom

Events After

  1. Fort St. Louis is established by a Frenchman at Matagorda Bay, forming the basis for France's claim to Texas

    Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of the colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1519 until 1821. Spain claimed ownership of the region in 1519.

  2. French King Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes, canceling the rights of French Protestants

    French King Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes, canceling the rights of French Protestants

  3. Charles II bars Jews from settling in Stockholm, Sweden

    Charles II bars Jews from settling in Stockholm, Sweden

  4. Don Francisco de Agurto installed as land guardian of Southern Netherlands

    Don Francisco de Agurto installed as land guardian of Southern Netherlands

  5. George Frideric Handel is born

    George Frideric Handel, British musician, known for german-british baroque composer, was born on 1685-02-23.

More from the 1680s

First recorded boxing match is organized by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, between his butler and his butcher

First recorded boxing match is organized by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, between his butler and his butcher

Prince William of Orange, the future King William III of Britain, summons the Convention Parliament to discuss ruling jo

Prince William of Orange, the future King William III of Britain, summons the Convention Parliament to discuss ruling jointly with his wife, Mary, the daughter of the exiled King James II

Parliament of England adopts the Bill of Rights, establishing the rights of Parliament and placing limits on the Crown

The constitution of the United Kingdom comprises the written and unwritten arrangements that establish the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as a political body.

Fort St. Louis is established by a Frenchman at Matagorda Bay, forming the basis for France's claim to Texas

Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of the colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1519 until 1821. Spain claimed ownership of the region in 1519.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 12, 1684?
Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign lasted 72 years and 110 days, which is the longest of any monarch in history. An emblem of the age of absolutism in Europe, Louis XIV's legacy includes French colonial expansion, the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War involving the Habsburgs, and a controlling influence on the style of fine arts and architecture in France, including the transformation of the Palace of Versailles into a center of royal power and politics.
Why is French King Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon significant?
Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715.
Who was involved in French King Louis XIV marries Madame Maintenon?
Key figures include Louis XIV.

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January 12 in HistoryYear 1684