War of the Austrian Succession: The French fleet bombards Plymouth, England.
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What Happened in February?
Emperor ascensions, legendary battles, and assassinations. Discover what happened this month in history. Explore pivotal events from February that helped shape the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The British recapture Calcutta when Robert Clive led forces defeat Siraj-ud-daullah on the battlefield of Plassey. More
1757, February 23 - The Battle of Chandannagar takes place, leading to the capture of the French fort by the British during the Seven Years' War.
The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Seven Years' War and transferring Canada from France to Britain.
The first American chartered fire insurance company, the Philadelphia Contributionship, is founded.
France recognizes American independence and signs the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States during the American Revolutionary War.
The Siege of Gibraltar ends on February 7, 1783 with the lifting of the Spanish and French blockade after nearly 3.5 years of conflict and a British victory retaining Gibraltar, a crucial Mediterranean naval base.
The Confederation Congress convenes to put the United States' newly written Constitution into effect.
Massachusetts ratifies the Articles of Confederation becoming the 6th State.
The State electors under the Constitution unanimously elect George Washington, the first president of the United States on February 4, 1789 by all 69 presidential electors who cast their votes. John Adams of Massachusetts, who received 34 votes, was elected vice president. More
France declares war on Great Britain and the Netherlands, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition. The execution of French King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793, led other European monarchies such as Britain and other powers to form the coalition to contain the spread of the revolution.
Napoleon Bonaparte marries Josephine de Beauharnais, marking the beginning of their tumultuous relationship.
The USS Constellation, the first American warship under the Constitution, is launched in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Treaty of San Ildefonso is signed between France and Spain, leading to the retrocession of Louisiana from Spain to France.
John Marshall is appointed as Chief Justice of the United States.
The United States Supreme Court establishes its power of judicial review in the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison.
A British expeditionary force captures the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch during the Napoleonic Wars.
Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F Major Op. 93, premieres in Vienna, Austria. Ludwig at the Grosser Redoutensaal. Beethoven, despite his increasing deafness, conducted the orchestra himself for this performance.
Napoleon's escapes from Elba where he was exiled after his forced abdication as French emperor in 1814 and begins his "Hundred Days" rule. Napoleon gathered support in route to Paris, retook power on March 20 as ruler of France and wage war against the English and Prussian armies. All ending in his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18 1815. More
Chile formally declares independence from Spain, on February 12, 1818, the first anniversary of the pivotal victory over the Spanish at Chacabuco by the forces of Argentinian Jose San Martin and Chilean Bernardo O'Higgins. The signing of the Act of Independence by Supreme Director Bernardo O'Higgins took place in Talca.
This was followed by the decisive victory over the Spanish in April 1818 at the Battle of Maipú. Chile's independence was formally recognized by Spain in 1844, when full diplomatic relations were established.
Chile's official Independence Day, known as Fiestas Patrias or "El Dieciocho," is celebrated on September 18th, commemorating the formation of its First Governing Junta in 1810, which started its independence process from Spain.