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Benjamin Franklin is born
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest son and the last son of his parents, Josiah and Abiah. (http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/timeline_early.html). Ben was their 8th child and his parents went on to later have 2 more children. He had 9 brothers and 7 sisters. (http://sln.fi.edu/franklin/timeline/birth.html) -
The United Kingdom of Great Britain is formed
On this date, England and Scotland signed a treaty called "the Act of Union" to form the United Kingdoms of Great Britain. They did this so there would not be a war between the two nations. When the two nations became one, the Scottish Parlament closed and the people who were in the Scorttish Parlement were given representation in the English Parlament, Westminster. (http://www.great-britain.co.uk/history/scotland.htm) -
Mt.Fuji Erupts
This Japanese Volcano stands about 12,000 feet tall. It is the largest mountain in Japan. When Mt.Fuju erupted in 1707,there was an earthquake about 3 weeks before.This earthquake caused the magma to come to the surface and cause Mt. Fuji to erupt. At the inital blast, ash filled the air and within a few hours, ash covered the ground. The ash eventually reached as far a Tokyo, Japan. (http://bigthink.com/eruptions/mt-fuji-japans-sacred-volcano) -
New Orleans is founded by the French
New Orleans was officially founded by Frenchman Jean Baptiste La Moyne. He founded it because the French needed a town closer to the mouth of the Missisippi River. This shortened the root up the Missisippi River and they also used it as protection against other forts along the Mississippi River.Jean Baptiste La Moyne is known as "The Father of Louisiana. Exact Date Unknown. (http://bgpappa.hubpages.com/hub/The-Founder-of-New-Orleans) -
Junto is Formed
Benjamin Franklin started a group called the "Junto" in Philidelphia.The members of the group helped to sponsor different events around Philiidelphia such as sponsoring a firestation, a library,a learning society, a college, an insurance company and several hospitals.They also paved the streets which were watched by a milita at night to make sure they were safe (Byers 60-63).There were 12 men in the Junto. (http://www.juntoclub.us/). Exact date unknown. -
Benjamin Franklin starts the first public library
Ben Franklin's group that he started called the"Junto" helped him to start the library. At the start, there were about 50 subscribers to the library who had to pay 50 shillings to become members and then pay 10 shillings a year. In the library, all of the books that were in it were ordered from London. The library was a huge attraction since books were expensive and rare. Having the library helped people have easy acsess to books. (http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/philadelphia/library.htm) -
The Poor Richards Almanak is Published
When Benjamin Franklin wrote the "Poor Pichards Almanak", he included agricultural predictions, a chart of the moon phases, and many different proverbs such as, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man, healthy, wealthy,and wise". (http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/poor-richard-almanack.html). When the almanak first came out it was extremely popular. It sold over 10,000 copies a year. It was published until 1757. (http://library.thinkquest.org/22254/pra2.htm). -
Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment.
One of Benjamin Frankin's great discoveries was helping discover electricity. His idea was to fly a kite in a storm with a key attached on the end. The key conducted electricity and when the lightening struck the key, it gave Franklin a shock. This discovery helped lead to the invention of the battery and electric motor. Exact date unknown. (http://explorable.com/ben-franklin-kite-experiment.html) -
The French and Indian War begins
In this bloody war the British fought against the French. The Native Americans joined fources with the French because they were afraid that the British would take all of their land. As a result of this war, and Britian's victory, the British ended up taking over most of the French land. The British also started to tax the colonies to help pay for the costs of the war. The war ended in 1763. (http://www.kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/frenchindian.htm). -
Franklin invents the Glass Armonica
Franklin's Glass Armonica, which he invented while living in England, was a very popular instrument throughout Europe. His instrument became so popular that even Beethoven and Mozart wrote music for the Glass Armonica. Franklin invented it because he loved listenig to music, but he wanted to hear more harmony in the melody of the music. The Glass Armonica did this. Exact date Unknown (http://www.gigmasters.com/armonica/history.html). -
James Cook becomes the first European to Discover Hawaii
James Cook was the first person to discover the Hawaiian Islands when he sailed past the island of Oahu. He was sailing from England when he eventually came across a chain of islands. He stopped at the islands and the Hawaiians welcomed Cook and his crew. They were very facinated by their large ships. The ship that Cook was sailing when he discovered the islands was called "The H.M.S Resolution and Discovery". (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cook-discovers-hawaii). -
The Battle of York Town
This battle was probably the most important battle in the Revolutionary War. General Washington led the Americans and the Continental Troops against General Cornwallis, who led the British troops. When Washington and his troops arrived, Cornwallis and his troops tried to escape by sea but Washington's troops blocked them. Cornwallis later surrendered to Washington on the battle field and the Americans declared victory . (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-yorktown-begins). -
The Invention of the Bifocals
Ben Franklin invented bifocal glasse because he was getting old and was having trouble seeing both up close and seeing far away. He was getting tired of switching between two types of glasses so he developed a way to have both types of lenses fit into the frame. The distance lens was on the top and the up close lens was placed at the bottom of the frame. Exact date unknown. (http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventors/ss/Franklin_invent_4.htm) -
Franklin signs the United States Constitution
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest person to sign the United States Constitution. He was also the only person to sign all 5 documents that made America Independent.(http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312702/benfranklin.htm). When signing the United States Constitution Franklin was not healthy. In fact, he needed help to sign it.. As he signed the Constitution, tears were streaming down his face (http://www.constitutionfacts.com/?section=constitution&page=fascinatingFacts.cfm). -
Benjamin Franklin becomes the President of the "Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery"
Franklin became the president of this society called the, "Society for Promotiing the Abolition of Slavery" because he didn't believe in slavery. He thought that it was wrong to own another person. Franklin had two slaves that he set free. He also thought that the freed slaves should be educated so they could fend for themselves. Exact date unknown. (http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l3_citizen_abolitionist.html) -
Benjamin Franklin dies
Benjamin Franklin died at the age of 84. At his funeral, there were more than 20,000 mourners and the service was held in Philidelphia, PA. He was burried at Philidelphia's Chirst Church burial groound. (http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/timeline.htm)
