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The last Colonial governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, signs the charter of Queen's College (later renamed Rutgers

The last Colonial governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, signs the charter of Queen's College (later renamed Rutgers University).

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, commonly referred to as Rutgers University or simply Rutgers ( RUT-gərz), is a large public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College and was affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States, the second-oldest in New Jersey (after Princeton University), and one of nine colonial colleges that were chartered before the American Revolution.

In 1825, Queen's College was renamed Rutgers College in honor of Colonel Henry Rutgers, whose substantial gift to the school had stabilized its finances during a period of uncertainty.

Historical Significance

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, commonly referred to as Rutgers University or simply Rutgers ( RUT-gərz), is a large public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey.

Events Before

  1. First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister

    First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister George Grenville

  2. Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers

    Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers

  3. 1st North American medical college opens in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia ( FIL-ə-DEL-fee-ə), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

  4. HMS Victory launched; Admiral Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, 40 years later

    HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate wooden sailing ship of the line. With 248 years of service as of 2026, she is the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission.

  5. Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec

    Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec

Events After

  1. US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield

    US Defector General Benedict Arnold (26) weds the daughter of the sheriff of New Haven Margaret Mansfield

  2. Ayutthaya Kingdom in present-day Thailand falls to Burmese invaders

    The Ayutthaya Kingdom or the Empire of Ayutthaya was a Thai kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand.

  3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first opera "Apollo et Hyacinthus", written when he was 11 years old, premieres in Salzburg

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first opera "Apollo et Hyacinthus", written when he was 11 years old, premieres in Salzburg

  4. Prince Willem V marries Prussian princess Wilhelmina

    Prince Willem V marries Prussian princess Wilhelmina

  5. King Taksin is crowned King of Siam and establishes Thonburi as his capital

    King Taksin is crowned King of Siam and establishes Thonburi as his capital

More from the 1760s

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defe

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defeats the mostly Hindu Maratha Empire in northern India. An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people are killed in the fighting, and about 40,000 Maratha prisoners are massacred afterward.

Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain

The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 10, 1766?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, commonly referred to as Rutgers University or simply Rutgers ( RUT-gərz), is a large public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College and was affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States, the second-oldest in New Jersey (after Princeton University), and one of nine colonial colleges that were chartered before the American Revolution.
Why is The last Colonial governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, signs the charter... significant?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, commonly referred to as Rutgers University or simply Rutgers ( RUT-gərz), is a large public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey.

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November 10 in HistoryYear 1766