January 14 Spanish King Philip V abdicates throne April 1 Henry Pelham becomes English minister of War April 1 Jonathan Swift publishes Drapier's letters April 6 Duke of Newcastle becomes English minister of Foreign Affairs April 7 Johann S Bach's "John Passion" premieres in Leipzig April 16 1st Easter observed June 23 Russia and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople October 13 Jonathan Swift publishes last of Drapier's letters October 15 Cornelis Steenoven is 1st archbishop of Old-Catholic church December 9 Colley Cibber's "Caesar in Aegypt," premieres in London December 23 Emperor Charles VI names Maria Elisabeth land guardian of Austria / Netherlands December 24 Benjamin Franklin arrives in London
