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Maria Theresa becomes ruler of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia

Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the...

Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Austrian Silesia, Tyrol, Styria and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.

Maria Theresa started her 40-year reign when her father, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, died on 20 October 1740.

Historical Significance

Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right.

Events Before

  1. French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier discovers and names the uninhabited Bouvet Island, the world's mo

    French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier discovers and names the uninhabited Bouvet Island, the world's most remote island, 1,700 km from Antarctica in the South Atlantic Ocean [1]

  2. Battle of Karnal: Army of Iranian ruler Nadir Shah defeats the forces of the Mughal emperor of India, Muhammad Shah

    Karnal () is a city located in the state of Haryana, India and is the administrative headquarters of Karnal District.

  3. Swedish botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus (32) weds Swedish Sara Elisabeth Moræa (23), until his death in 1778

    Swedish botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus (32) weds Swedish Sara Elisabeth Moræa (23), until his death in 1778

  4. Britain and Spain sign 2nd Convention of Pardo - seeks to establish boundary between Georgia and Florida

    Britain and Spain sign 2nd Convention of Pardo - seeks to establish boundary between Georgia and Florida

  5. Iranian ruler Nadir Shah occupies Delhi in India and sacks the city, stealing the jewels of the Peacock Throne

    Iranian ruler Nadir Shah occupies Delhi in India and sacks the city, stealing the jewels of the Peacock Throne

Events After

  1. Alaska is first sighted by a Russian expedition led by Danish explorer Vitus Bering

    Vitus Jonassen Bering (baptised 5 August 1681 – 19 December 1741), also known as Ivan Ivanovich Bering, was a Danish-born Russian cartographer, explorer, and officer in the Russian Navy.

  2. George Frideric Handel finishes his "Messiah" oratorio after working on it nonstop for 24 days

    George Frideric Handel finishes his "Messiah" oratorio after working on it nonstop for 24 days

  3. Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces the Celsius temperature scale, which now bears his name

    Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces the Celsius temperature scale, which now bears his name

  4. Andrew Bedford publishes the first American magazine (American Magazine)

    Andrew Bedford publishes the first American magazine (American Magazine)

  5. British fleet under Rear Admiral of the Blue Sir Chaloner Ogle reaches Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

    British fleet under Rear Admiral of the Blue Sir Chaloner Ogle reaches Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

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 October 20, 1740?
Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Austrian Silesia, Tyrol, Styria and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.
Why is Maria Theresa becomes ruler of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia significant?
Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right.

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October 20 in HistoryYear 1740