-
Birth
Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna was born on November 2, 1755 in Vienna, Austria to parents Francis I, the Holy Roman Emperor and Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresa (Castelot 1) and (History.com Staff). She was raised to believe that she was destined to become queen of France despite being the second youngest of 15 siblings. This event is significant because although it wasn't obvious at the time, the beloved princess would soon become hated by the entire nation (Biography.com Editors). -
Casanova escapes jail and flees to Paris
On October 31, 1756, an Italian man named Giacomo Casanova broke out of prison (Grun 349). Casanova was known to be a very charming and seductive man. He was thrown in solitary confinement in a place called "The Leads" for breaking religious laws. On this night, he broke through the floorboards and escaped. This event is significant because in modern times we use the term "casanova" to describe a man that is very attracted to women or has many lovers ("Giacomo Casanova Breaks Out of Prison"). -
Britain's Royal Academy of Arts founded
On December 10, 1768, King George III gave his approval to build the Royal Academy of Arts in London. He wanted to show the nation the professionalism of art through teaching and displays. The building was located in Westminster, London and it contained several classes that taught visual art. Within its first year of opening, over 70 students were enrolled and the numbers grew as years went on. This event is significant because it spread creativity and art throughout London (Knowles). -
Marriage to Louis XVI
Marie Antoinette's wedding with the future king of France, Louis Ferdinand was on April 4th, 1770 and it was her first real exposure to the public eye (History.com Staff). Marie was skeptical of the marriage that her parents set up, especially because she and Louis were so different. While he was shy and introverted, she was a social butterfly and loved parties. This event is significant because Marie was now given power with her husband as heir to the throne of France (Biography.com Editors). -
Death of Louis XV
In the year 1774, Louis XV, the King of France and Marie's father-in-law died of smallpox. This caused Louis XVI to become the new King and Marie to become Queen of France. The couple quickly took power and still nobody suspected that they would do any harm. This event is significant because it is the turning point in Marie's life where her reputation and attitude began to slowly go downhill (Biography.com Editors) and ("Marie Antoinette 258). -
George Washington becomes Commander in Chief of Continental Army
On June 15, 1775, the Continental Congress chose George Washington to be Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (Grun 358). After Washington gained this title, he won important battles at Trenton and Dorchester Heights. This event is significant because Washington helped the colonies win the Revolutionary War and gain freedom from Britain. He later became known as one of the greatest military and political leaders in American history ("Washington Takes Command of Cntinental Army in 1775). -
James Cook discovers Hawaii
In 1778, British Captain James Cook discovered a group of islands known as present-day Hawaii (Grun 361). He was leading two ships north in hopes of finding the Northwest Passage when he and his crew landed on Kauai Island and met some hostile natives that raided their ships. Eventually, Cook and his crew sailed away to the Western Coast of North America. This event is significant because Hawaii would later become the 50th state of the U.S.A. ("Captain James Cook Discovers Ancient Hawaii"). -
James Watt invents double acting rotary steam engine
In the year 1782, a European man named James Watt came up with an idea to make a double acting rotary steam engine (Grun 363). This meant that this machine was moved by both backward and forward strokes of the piston and that a part known as a sun-and-planet gear was responsible for the steam engine's rotary or circular motion. This event is significant because, by the year 1800, over 500 of James Watt's machines were being used in mines and factories throughout Britain ("Rotary Steam Engine"). -
Beethoven's first work published
In March, 1783, Beethoven at 13 years old published his first work, "9 Variations in C Minor" (Grun 363). This piece was light and melodic with many tempo and dynamic changes. Helping him with this piece was his most talented instructor, Christian Neefe. This event was significant because it marked the beginning of Beethoven's career as a composer. He would later go on to write many other works. After going deaf in 1801, he became more successful than ever ('Ludwig van Beethoven"). -
Diamond Necklace Scandal
In the year 1785, an event known as the Diamond Necklace Scandal occurred. The citizens of France were already skeptical of Marie's ignorance and supposed adultery that they had nicknamed her "Madame Deficit". When a thief dressed as the queen and tried to tarnish her reputation by stealing a 647-diamond necklace, it worked. This event was significant because it permanently sealed Marie's bad reputation and it made sure that her citizens would never trust her again (Biography.com Editors) -
French Revolution begins
On July 14, 1789, hundreds of French peasants and workers raided the Bastille prison to get ammunition to fight the government. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution. This event was important because Marie and her husband were about to be overthrown by their people for their ignorance of growing famine and poverty in the country. A quote that is attached to Marie Antoinette is, "let them eat cake" as a joke when she found out the people had no bread (Biography.com Editors). -
October March on Versailles
On October 6, 1789, a crowd of about 10,000 people stationed themselves outside the Palace of Versailles and demanded that Marie and Louis be brought to Paris. In Paris, they were dragged and jailed in the Tuileries Palace where Marie sent many urgent letters to European rulers, begging them to help. This event is significant because at this point, the people had more control over the monarchy and they became much harder to try and stop (Biography.com Editors) and ("Marie Antoinette" 258). -
Louis and Marie flee to Austrian border
In June, 1791, with the help of her lover, Count Axel von Ferson, Marie and Louis managed to escape and flee to her homeland, the Austrian border (Biography.com Editors). Supposedly, Marie's brother, the Holy Roman Emperor waited there with troops ready to invade France and crush the Revolution. This event is significant because it made Marie seem like a true traitor to the public eye (History.com Staff). -
September Massacres
In the month of September, 1792, revolutionaries began to massacre thousands of royalist prisoners. Marie Antoinette became infuriated when her best friend, the Princess de Lambelle was beheaded and her head was paraded through the streets of Paris. This event was significant because Marie and Louis lost many supporters and allies which gave them the sense that no hope was left (History.com Staff). -
Parisian crowd storms Tuileries Palace and ends the monarchy
On August 10, 1792, a large group of Parisian citizens stormed the Tuileries Palace and put an end to the monarchy. The royal family could not fight back because they had no strength or weapons. This event was significant because it marked the end of the French Monarchy and the people replaced it with a new republic. It also led to the horrible end that both Marie and Louis would soon face ("Marie Antoinette 258). -
Death
After Louis was put on trial and beheaded, Marie Antoinette was also put on trial for treason and theft as well as a disturbingly false charge of sexual abuse and incest with her son. On October 16, 1793, she was taken to the guillotine and beheaded like her husband in the Place de la Concorde. This event is significant because Marie died as the last queen of France and is now known to be one of the most infamous as well (Biography.com Editors) and (Castelot 409).
