On This Day
·

French King Louis XV declares war on Britain

Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774.

Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defined as his 13th birthday) in 1723, the kingdom was ruled by his grand-uncle Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, as Regent of France. Cardinal Fleury was chief minister from 1726 until his death in 1743, at which time the king took sole control of the kingdom.

His reign of almost 59 years (from 1715 to 1774) was the second longest in the history of France, exceeded only by his predecessor, Louis XIV, who had ruled for 72 years (from 1643 to 1715). In 1748, Louis returned the Austrian Netherlands, won at the Battle of Fontenoy of 1745.

Historical Significance

Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774.

Events Before

  1. French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mounta

    French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the Yellow River, having crossed the Great Plains [1]

  2. George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

    George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early...

  3. War of the Austrian Succession: King George II of Britain personally leads Allied troops to victory in the Battle of Det

    War of the Austrian Succession: King George II of Britain personally leads Allied troops to victory in the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria. The last time a British monarch commanded troops in the field.

  4. Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes "Rules of the Ring," the earliest boxing code

    Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes "Rules of the Ring," the earliest boxing code

  5. Philadelphia establishes a "pesthouse" to quarantine immigrants

    Philadelphia establishes a "pesthouse" to quarantine immigrants

Events After

  1. Anthony Wayne is born

    Anthony Wayne, American statesman and soldier, known for american statesman and soldier, was born on 1745-01-01.

  2. Future Russian Tsar Peter III marries Ekaterina Alexeievna later Catherine II (Catherine the Great)

    Catherine II (born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst; 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), commonly referred to in various media as Catherine the Great, was the reigning Empress of Russia...

  3. Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army invades England in an attempt to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne

    The Jacobite Army, sometimes referred to as the Highland Army, was the military force assembled by Charles Edward Stuart and his Jacobite supporters during the 1745 Rising that attempted to restore...

  4. Bonnie Prince Charlies' Jacobite army draws close to Glasgow

    Bonnie Prince Charlies' Jacobite army draws close to Glasgow

  5. Britain, Austria, Netherlands & Saxony sign anti-Prussian Quadruple Alliance

    Britain, Austria, Netherlands & Saxony sign anti-Prussian Quadruple Alliance

More from the 1740s

French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mounta

French explorers Louis-Joseph and François de La Vérendrye are the first Europeans to reach the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the Yellow River, having crossed the Great Plains [1]

birth

Anthony Wayne is born

Anthony Wayne, American statesman and soldier, known for american statesman and soldier, was born on 1745-01-01.

George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early...

The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

The ruins of Pompeii are rediscovered by Spaniard Roque Joaquín de Alcubierre

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 15, 1744?
Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defined as his 13th birthday) in 1723, the kingdom was ruled by his grand-uncle Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, as Regent of France.
Why is French King Louis XV declares war on Britain significant?
Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (French: le Bien-Aimé), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774.

Explore More

March 15 in HistoryYear 1744