February 9 Thomas Otway's "Venice Preserved," premieres in London March 19 Nationally Council accept independence of French church April 9 Robert La Salle claims lower Mississippi (Louisiana) for France May 1 Louis XIV and his court inaugurates Paris Observatory June 10 Tornado in Connecticut uproots a 3' diameter oak tree June 18 William Penn founds Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 29 Sofia names herself regent of Russia July 14 Henry Purcell appointed organist of Chapel Royal, London August 24 Duke James of York gives Delaware to William Penn August 30 William Penn left England to sail to New World September 4 English astronomer Edmund Halley sees his namesake comet October 19 English Lord Shaftesbury flees to Holland October 26 William Penn accepts area around Delaware River from Duke of York October 29 William Penn lands at what is now Chester, Pennsylvania November 12 Swedish king Karel XI establishes absolute monarchy December 2 English earl of Shaftesbury flight to Amsterdam December 4 1st General Assembly in Pennsylvania (Chester)
