1661. The solemn league and covenant burned by the common hangman at London, and afterwards throughout the country.
1667. Alexander VII (Fabio Chigi), pope, died; characterized as little in great things, and great in little ones. He was liberal towards men of letters, and embellished Rome with some splendid edifices.
1680. A vast luminous meteor appeared at Leipsic.
1688. John Andrew Quenstedt died; a German divine, author of a Latin account of learned men down to 1600.
1690. Naval action at Cherbourg; British admiral Ashby destroyed 3 French ships of the line and several frigates, being part of Tourville's squadron.
1692. Action off La Hogue, commenced the night previous, between the combined English and Dutch fleets, admiral Russell, and the French fleet, which lost 16 sail.
1707. Battle of Stolhoffen, on the Rhine; French under Villars forced the lines of the allies.
1722. Sebastian Vaillant, a French botanist, died. He was originally organist to a convent.
1725. Robert Molesworth, an able English statesman, died. He rendered himself obnoxious to the clergy by insinuating that "religion is a pious craft, a useful state engine, but far inferior to the principles which in the school of Athens and Rome, incited their attentive youth to the love of their country, and to the practice of the moral virtues."
1734. Kouli Khan, defeated the Turkish army in Persia.