Historical Events
Blackbeard Ransacks the Margaret
Dec 5 English pirate Blackbeard ransacks the merchant sloop "Margaret" and keeps her captain, Henry Bostock prisoner for 8 hours before releasing him. Bostock later provides the first record of Blackbeard's appearance, and the source for his name.
- Dec 25 Floods ravage Dutch coast provinces, thousands killed
Famous Birthdays
- Dec 9 Johann Winckelmann, German archaeologist (History of Ancient Art), born in Stendal, Prussia (d. 1768)
- Dec 16 Elizabeth Carter, English poet, bluestocking and translator (All the Works of Epictetus Which Are Now Extant), born in Deal, England (d. 1806)
- Dec 20 Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, French statesman and diplomat, born in Dijon, France (d. 1787)
- Dec 25 George Augustus Eliott, 1st Baron Heathfield, Scottish general (Seven Years' War) and Governor of Gibraltar (1777-90) who commanded the garrison during the Great Siege Gibraltar, born in Wells House, Roxburghshire, Scotland (d. 1790)
Pius VI (1717-1799)
Dec 25 Italian Pope (1775-99), born in Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Papal States
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
80-89
Over 90