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War of the Spanish Succession begins—the last of Louis XIV's wars for domination of the continent.
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United Kingdom of Great Britain formed—England, Wales, and Scotland joined by parliamentary Act of Union.
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Great earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal—over 60,000 die. U.S. postal service established.
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Seven Years' War (French and Indian Wars in America) (to 1763),
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Beginning of British Empire in India as Robert Clive, British commander, defeats Nawab of Bengal at Plassey.
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British capture Quebec from French. Voltaire's Candide. Haydn's Symphony No. 1.
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Catherine II (“the Great”) becomes czarina of Russia. Jean Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract. Mozart tours Europe as six-year-old prodigy.
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James Watt invents the steam engine. Britain imposes the Stamp Act on the American colonists.
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The Boston Massacre.
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The Boston Tea Party.