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The Great Northern War Begins
The Great Northern War lasted from 1700 to 1721. This war was fought between Sweden's Charles XII and Russia’s Peter the Great. As a result of the conflict, Sweden was destroyed as a major power and Russia became a major player in European war and politics. Exact date unknown. (Dawson 373-376; vol. 1) -
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World Events
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Benjamin Franklin Was Born
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston then known as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His father, Josiah Franklin, a soap and candle maker had 17 children, seven with his first wife, Anne Child, and 10 with second wife Abiah Folger. Benjamin was his 15th child and the last son. (Talbott 170) -
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Benjamin Franklin
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Benjamin Franklin Invents Swim Fins
Benjamin Franklin invents swim fins that were shaped like lily pads and were worn on the hands. Ben loved the water and he was an expert swimmer. He invented the fins because he wanted to increase his swimming speed. He was only 11 years old when he invented these fins. Exact date unknown. (Talbott 164) -
Benjamin Franklin Invents the Pennsylvania Stove
Benjamin Franklin invents the Pennsylvania Stove which also was called the Franklin Stove. Fireplaces were the main source of heat for homes in the 18th century, but they were very inefficient. Franklin’s new stove design was more efficient. It used less wood and created more heat. Also it reduced the risk of fire. Exact date unknown. (Scarf 30 -33) -
Benjamin Franklin Invents the Lighting Rod
Benjamin Franklin invents the lighting rod. He was concerned with protecting people, building, and other structures from lighting. A lighting rod is a pointed iron rod that is attached to the outside of buildings. The rod connects to a wire that is buried in the ground. The rod redirects the lighting away from the building and into the ground. During the 1700’s lighting was a major cause of fire, and this device helped reduce fires. Exact date unknown. (Talbott 192-195) -
Benjamin Franklin Conducts Famous Kite Experiment
Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous kite flying experiments and proved that lightning was electricity. Ben flew a kite with a key attached during a lighting storm. The kite was struck by lighting and when Ben moved his hand toward the key, he felt a shock. This proved lighting was electrical in nature. (Heinrichs 6-7) -
The French and Indian War Begins
The French Indian War was one of a series of wars between the British and French. This war took place in North America from 1754 to 1763. The French wanted to take over the British Colonies and the British wanted to take over the fur trade in the French territory. Native Americans joined the French soldiers and fought against the British. The war ended with the peace treaty of 1763. The British got most of the French land in North America. Exact date unknown. (Dawson 373-376; vol. 1) -
Benjamin Franklin Invents Armonica
Benjamin Franklin invented his own version of the armonica. An armonica is a musical instrument which was played on water filled wine glasses. Benjamin’s version of the armonica was smaller than the originals and did not need water to tune the glasses. His armonica became popular, even Beethoven and Mozart composed music for it. Exact date unknown. (The Electric Ben Franklin) -
Britain Imposes the Stamp Act on the American Colonists
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament. It was a tax was imposed on all American colonists. They had to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Colonists were outraged and began boycotting all British goods. Colonies decided that Parliament did not have the right to pass taxes on them because they did not have any representation in Parliament. The British Parliament repealed the stamp act just one year later in 1766. (Dawson 476-479; vol. 1) -
Benjamin Franklin Maps Gulf Stream
Benjamin Franklin maps the Gulf Stream. He was the first scientist to study and map the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a warm water current that flows north from the West Indies, along the East Coast of North America and east across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. This map was important because a sailor could utilize the Gulf Stream to travel at a faster speed than in the normal ocean current. Exact date is unknown. (Talbott 170) -
Benjamin Franklin Invents Odometer
Ben Franklin invents an odometer. This is device attached to his carriage and counted wheel rotations so the distance the carriage traveled could be determined. Ben used this device to help establish more efficient postal routes. Exact date unknown. (Talbot 178) -
The American Revolution Begins
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, began in 1775. British soldiers and American patriots started the war with battles at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Colonists in America wanted independence from England. The war ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, and the United States of America was born. (Schmittroth 127-133) -
The Declaration of Independence Approved by Continental Congress
The Declaration of Independence was approved July 4 by the Continental Congress. The main purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to announce the colonies separation from England. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal and are entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These ideas form the basis of the United States beliefs about the role of our government. (Schmittroth 135-149) -
Benjamin Franklin Invents Bifocal Glasses
Benjamin Franklin invented bifocal glasses in 1784. As he aged, he had trouble seeing both up-close and at a distance. Because he was tired of switching between two types of glasses, he developed a way to have both types of lenses fit into the frame. The distance lens was placed at the top and the up-close lens was placed at the bottom. Exact date unknown. (Talbott 165) -
The French Revolution Begins
The French revolution begins in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille, and ends in 1799. The people of France were tired of being treated like slaves. They revolted against the Monarchy and the entire social estate system. A new modern France was finally formed. -
Benjamin Franklin Dies
Benjamin Franklin dies at 84 years old. He was at his daughter Sally’s house with his grandsons at his side. He had been suffering from a lung illness called empyema. (Heinrichs 28)
