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Benjamin Franklin was born
Born in Boston, also know then as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the 15th of 17 children, and the last son. His parents are Josiah and Abiah Franklin He was taken out of school at the age of 10, but continued to read books to enrich his education (Wright 28). Picture: http://www.biography.com/people/benjamin-franklin-9301234 -
United Kingdom of Great Britain was formed (World Event)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain consisted of England, Wales, and Scotland. All of these countries were joined together by Parliamentary Act of Union. (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001231.html). -
Prussia enters northern war (World Event)
The northern war was between Prussia and Sweden. It took place from 1715 to 1718. Russia ended up winning the war led by Charles XII (http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/great_northern_war.htm). -
Easter Island discovered (World Event)
Easter Island was founded by a Dutch sea captain named Jacob Roggeveen on Easter 1722. He landed his ship on an island called Te Pito o Te Hanua and renamed it Easter Island. It is located 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile (http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/easter-island.htm). -
Founds first circulating library in America
Ben Franklin founded The Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731. This was Americas first lending library. Franklin served as the librarian here for a brief period of time and was on the first postage stamp. Exact date unknown (Wright XIV). Picture: http://www.libraryhistorybuff.org/benfranklin.htm -
Starts to invent Franklin Stove
The Franklin Stove was developed in place of a fireplace as a more efficient way of heating homes. Instead of being placed in the wall like a fireplace, it was placed in the middle of a room so heat could radiate in all directions keeping the house warm. (http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/franklin.html) Picture: Same site. -
Flying kite experiment
Ben Franklin's most famous experiment was when he discovered that lightning conducted an electrical charge. In this experiment, he attached a key to the end of a kite. When the lightning struck the key, it sparked proving electricity went through it. Exact date unknown. http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/kite.htm -
Ben Franklin invents the lightning rod
Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod in June of 1752. The lightning rod prevented many house fires in that time. Since houses were made of wood in that time period, they were primary targets for lightning to strike. The lightning rod was a long metal pole on top of your house so when lightning strikes it will be attracted to the pole. The pole led into the ground so the lightning would not hit the house.(http://www.improve.com/Ben-Franklin-Electricity-and-the-Lightning-Rod/3664). -
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War went from 1756-1763. The countries involved were Britain, Prussia, Spain, Austria, and Russia. Britain and Prussia defeated Spain, Austria, and Russia. France lost Northern American colonies and Spain loses Florida to Britain in exchange for Cuba (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001231.html). -
Russia joins Alliance of Versailles
The Alliance of Versailles was origionally between Austria and France. It was proposed by Austria's chancellor Kaunitz, in view of the growing power of Prussia. The alliance stated that Austria and France guaranteed each others' possessions and pledged to render each others' military aid (http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Versailles%2c+Alliance+Treaties+of+1756+and+1758). -
James Watt invents the steam engine (World Event)
In 1765, James Watt invented the steam engine. The steam engine is a heat engine that preforms mechanical work by using steam power. Early machines were not an efficient enrgy source, but as machines advanced they became a more efficient source of energy (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Steam_engine). -
Ben Franklin becomes a member of the Continental Congress
The Continental Congress is an organization that helped in the Revolutionary War. They drafted important documents to form a new union. This made him a very important person of his time (http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/franklin-congress.html). -
Ben Franklin helps draft and signs Declaration of Independence
Ben Franklin was a very smart writer and wrote many books. He had the opportunity to help write the Declaration of Independence. He is considered a Founding Father because he also got to sign the Declaration of Independence. Exact date unknown (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/declaration/bio11.htm). -
Negotiates Treaty of Alliance with France
The Treaty of Alliance was very important for the American Revolution. It said that if America went to war with Great Britain, France would ally America to defeat them. If the Treaty of Alliance was not negotiated, America might not of won Independence from great Britain (Wright XIV). -
Ben Franklin invents bifocals
Ben Franklin needed to wear regular everyday glasses and reading glasses. To save him the trouble of switching between the two, he combined them. He took the top half of his regular glasses and bottom part of his reading glasses to create the worlds first bifocals. Exact date unknown (http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/franklin.html). -
Benjamin Franklin dies
He died in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is where he did most of his work over his lifetime. He lived to be 84 years old (Wright XIV).
