1714. The princess Sophia died; fourth daughter of the king of Bohemia by Elizabeth, only daughter of James I, of England. She was the mother of George I.
1727. Augustus Herman Francke died; professor of oriental languages and of divinity at Halle, and distinguished for his learning and piety.
1747. Thamas Kouli Khan, the Persian conqueror, assassinated. He rose from the humble rank of a shepherd boy, to be the captain of a band of robbers, which in time became sufficiently formidable to place him on the throne of Persia. He extended his conquests into India, and overran some of its richest provinces.
1755. Action off Newfoundland, between the British ship Dunkirk, 60 guns, and 420 men and boys, and the French ship Alcide, 64 guns, 700 men. The Alcide struck in about 30 minutes; the slaughter on board of her was very great, the first broadside killing 47 men and officers. The governor of Louisburg and 4 officers of note were taken, and £30,000.
1764. William Pulteney, an English statesman, died. He was many years the friend of Walpole, finally opposed his measures and was disgraced. He continued his opposition with so much zeal and spirit, that Walpole was in turn disgraced, and himself rose in his place.
1768. Abbe John Winckelman, a celebrated German antiquary, assassinated at Trieste. He was the son of a shoemaker, and sometime engaged in the same business himself. His labors were indefatigable, and his works possess great merit.
1768. Andrew Millar, the most distinguished bookseller of his times, died in London. Dr. Johnson said he had raised the price of literature.
1776. Unsuccessful attempt of 800 Americans to surprise the British at the village of Trois Rivieres, Canada; 200 were taken prisoners. Same day the Americans under col. De Haas, burnt St. Annes, on the St. Lawrence.
1781. A reinforcement of 1,500 French troops landed at Boston, and marched to join Rochambeau at White plains.
1782. Hyder Ally surrounded and cut off the advanced body of the British army under sir Eyre Coote.