Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

Historical Events in 1708

  • Jan 8 Spanish armada headed by the San Jose and loaded with gold sunk after British squadron attacks off coast of Colombia (rediscovered 2015)

Event of Interest

Feb 24 Prince John William Friso sworn in as Stadtholder of Groningen

  • Feb 28 Slave revolt in Newton, Long Island NY results in 11 deaths

Last Royal Veto

Mar 11 Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation

  • Mar 23 James Francis Edward Stuart, Prince of Wales, attempts to land at Firth of Forth, Scotland, but is turned away by the British Royal Navy
  • Mar 27 James Francis Edward Stuart, Prince of Wales, and pretender to the Great British throne James III flees to Dunkirk after failed invasion attempt
  • Jun 8 Spanish flagship galleon San José is sunk during a battle just off the coast of Cartagena, Columbia carrying a cargo of gold, silver and emerald valued today in billions [1]

Battle of Holowczyn

Jul 4 Battle of Holowczyn: Swedish King Charles XII defeats superior Russian force in surprising vctory

  • Jul 11 Battle at Oudenaarde: Great Alliance beats France
  • Jul 28 Monarch Amengkurat II [Sunan Mas] of Mataram gives himself up to VOC
  • Aug 3 Battle at Trencsén: Austria beats Hungarian rebellion army
  • Aug 23 Meidingnu Pamheiba is crowned King of Manipur.
  • Aug 29 British troops occupy Menorca & Sardinia
  • Aug 29 Haverhill, Massachusetts, destroyed by French & Indians
  • Sep 11 Great Northern War: Charles XII of Sweden stops his march to conquer Moscow outside Smolensk, marking the turning point in the war
  • Oct 9 Great Northern War: Battle at Lesnaya (N.S): Russian army captures Swedish convoy
  • Oct 21 Dutch & English troops occupy Lille (Rijsel)
  • Oct 22 Great Alliance occupies Rijsel
  • Dec 1 Great Alliance occupies Brussels
  • Dec 14 Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon's play "Electre" premieres in Paris
  • Dec 29 Great Alliance occupies Gent