1756 in Great Britain - Events

Events

• 16 January - Treaty of Westminster signed between Britain and Prussia guaranteeing the neutrality of Hanover, the German province controlled by King George II.
• 12 April - Seven Years' War: The French invade Minorca, at this time under British control.
• 17 May - Seven Years' War: The Seven Years' War formally begins when Britain declares war on France.
• 20 May - Seven Years' War: Battle of Minorca: The British fleet under John Byng is defeated by the French under Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière.
• 20 June - A garrison of the British Army in India is imprisoned in the Black Hole of Calcutta.
• 25 June - Foundation of The Marine Society in London, the world's oldest seafarers' charity.
• 29 June - Seven Years' War - Siege of Fort St Philip at Port Mahon: The British garrison in Minorca surrenders to the French after two months' siege by Armand de Vignerot du Plessis.
• 16 November - Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne resigns as Prime Minister. His successor is William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire.
• 4 December - William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham becomes Secretary of State for the Southern Department.
• Undated - Completion of William Edwards' Old Bridge, Pontypridd. With a 140 ft (43 m) span it becomes (by 10 ft) the longest single span bridge in Great Britain, remaining so for 40 years.