1718. An earthquake extended through several inland provinces of China, by which the gates and walls of cities were thrown down. The city of Yong-ning-tchin was entirely swallowed up, and several mountains were thrown over a plain to the distance of about two leagues.
1741. Francis Pourfour died; a French physician and skillful herbalist.
1749. Ambrose Philips, an English poet, died. He wrote also for the stage with some success, although his performances were ridiculed by Pope.
1756. Calcutta, in India, taken by Surajah Dowla: of 146 prisoners put into a dungeon called the "black hole," 123 were suffocated.
1756. Minorca surrendered to the French by the British general Blakeney. The British had taken it from the Spaniards in 1708.
1757. Battle of Kolin; the Prussians under Frederick II defeated by the Austrians under count Daun, with the loss of 8,000 killed and wounded. Frederick lost his battle through the rash bravery of one of his generals.
1764. Lighthouse at Sandyhook first put in operation.
1772. Gerard Van Swieten, a Dutch physician, died. He settled in Vienna, where he became a distinguished practitioner, and his memory is still held in great veneration by the profession there.
1776. Gen. Burgoyne entered St. Johns, Canada, the Americans having evacuated it, and burnt the fort and barracks.
1779. British West India island St. Vincent, surrendered to the French under Romain and d'Estaing.