1776 in Great Britain
Events from the year 1776 in Great Britain.
Incumbents
Events
- 10 January – American Revolution: The radical Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense "written by an Englishman" in Philadelphia arguing for independence from British rule in the Thirteen Colonies.[1]
- 27 February - American Revolution: At the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Scottish American Loyalists are defeated by North Carolina Patriots.[2]
- 2–3 March - American Revolution:
- 9 March - Economist Adam Smith publishes The Wealth of Nations.
- 17 March - American Revolution: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts,[2] after George Washington commands the placement of artillery overlooking the city at Dorchester Heights.
- 4 May - American Revolution: Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to George III.
- 15–26 May - American Revolution: Battle of The Cedars: British forces skirmish with the American Continental Army around Les Cèdres, Quebec.
- 8 June - American Revolution: Battle of Trois-Rivières: The invading American Continental Army is driven back at Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
- 4 July - American Revolution: United States Declaration of Independence: The Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia ratifies the declaration by the United States of its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.[3]
- 12 July - Captain James Cook sets off from Plymouth in HMS Resolution on his third voyage, to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic, which will be fatal.
- 27 August - American Revolution: At the Battle of Long Island Washington's troops are routed in Brooklyn by British under William Howe.[2]
- 11 September - American Revolution: abortive peace conference between British and Americans on Staten Island.[2]
- 15 September - American Revolution: Landing at Kip's Bay: British troops land on Manhattan at Kips Bay.[2]
- 16 September - American Revolution: Battle of Harlem Heights: The Continental Army under Washington are victorious against the British on Manhattan.
- 24 September - First running of the St. Leger Stakes horse race[3] (not yet named), first of the British Classic Races, devised by Anthony St Leger, on Cantley Common at Doncaster. The winner is a filly (later named Allabaculia) owned by the organiser, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.
- 11 October - American Revolution: Battle of Valcour Island: On Lake Champlain near Valcour Island, a British fleet led by Sir Guy Carleton defeats 15 American gunboats commanded by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. Although nearly all of Arnold's ships are destroyed, the defense of Lake Champlain prevents a further British advance toward Albany, New York.
- 18 October - American Revolution: Battle of Pell's Point: Troops of the American Continental Army resist a British and Hessian force in The Bronx.
- 28 October - American Revolution: Battle of White Plains: British forces arrive at White Plains, attack and capture Chatterton Hill from the Continental Army.[2]
- 19 November - American Revolution: Fort Lee, New Jersey, is captured by the British forces.[2]
- 26 December - American Revolution: The Continental Army led by Washington defeats a Hessian brigade at the Battle of Trenton.[2]
Undated
- Member of Parliament David Hartley unsuccessfully introduces a motion to the House of Commons calling for the abolition of slavery.[2]
Publications
Deaths
Births
References
Further reading
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1776 in Great Britain: