May 11 Large numbers of Germans begin emigrating to North America

Jan 05 Sudden extreme cold kills 1000s of Europeans

Jan 11 Colley Cibber's "Rival Fools," premieres in London

Jan 05 Sudden extreme cold kills 1000s of Europeans

Feb 02 British sailor Alexander Selkirk is rescued after being marooned on a desert island for 5 years, his story inspires "Robinson Crusoe"

Feb 01 Alexander Selkirk [Robinson Crusoe] rescued from Juan Fernandez

Feb 12 Alexander Selkirk, Scottish seaman is rescued after 4+ years from Fernandez Island (inspiration for Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe")

Sep 11 English, Dutch & Austrians defeat French in Battle of Malplaquet

Aug 08 First known ascent in hot-air balloon, Bartolomeu de Gusmao (indoors)

Jul 08 Battle of Poltava; Russians defeat Swedes

Mar 27 Dike at Hardinxveld breaks (Alblasserwaard flooded)