Anglo-Portuguese Alliance between England (succeeded by the United Kingdom) and Portugal is the oldest alliance in the world which is still in force.

"Edmund Halley's" total solar eclipse (the last one visible in London, United Kingdom for almost 900 years).

The Treaty of Lancaster, in which the Iriquois ceded lands between the Allegheny Mountains and the Ohio River to the British colonies, is signed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

British troops take Cape Breton Island, which is now part of Nova Scotia, Canada.

A British fleet under Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the first battle of Cape Finisterre.

Battle of the Plains of Abraham: British defeat French near Quebec City in the Seven Years' War, known in the United States as the French and Indian War.

The British capture Pondicherry, India from the French.

Boston Massacre: Five Americans, including a black man named Crispus Attucks, and a boy, are killed by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War five years later.

Spain cedes Port Egmont in the Falkland Islands to the United Kingdom.

American Revolution: British forces evacuate Boston, Massachusetts after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city.

After his defeat on October 7, 1777, British General John Burgoyne's Army at The Battles of Saratoga become surrounded by superior numbers, setting the stage for its surrendermdash which feat of arms inspires the Kingdom of France to enter the American Revolutionary War against the British.

American Revolutionary War: 3,500 British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell capture Savannah, Georgia without firing a shot.

American Revolution: a squadron commanded by John Paul Jones on board the USS Bonhomme Richard wins the Battle of Flamborough Head, off the coast of England, against two British warships.

Spanish defeat British forces and capture Minorca.

A huge fireball meteor is seen across the United Kingdom as it passes over the east coast.

French Revolutionary Wars: France declares war on the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The first occupation by United Kingdom of Cape Colony, South Africa with the Battle of Hout Bay, after successive victories at the Battle of Muizenberg and Wynberg, after William V requested protection against revolutionary France's occupation of the Netherlands.

Trinidad is surrendered to a British fleet under the command of Sir Ralph Abercromby.

The Battle of Alexandria is fought between British and French forces near the ruins of Nicopolis in Egypt.

Napoleonic Wars: The United Kingdom revokes the Treaty of Amiens and declares war on France.

Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Trafalgar: A British fleet led by Vice Admiral Lord Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain under Admiral Villeneuve. It signals almost the end of French maritime power and leaves Britain's navy unchallenged until the twentieth century.

Cape Colony becomes a British colony.

Dutch settlers in Cape Town surrender to the British.

The United Kingdom occupies the Cape of Good Hope.

Battle of Vimeiro: British and Portuguese forces led by General Arthur Wellesley defeat French force under Major-General Jean-Andoche Junot near the village of Vimeiro, Portugal, the first Anglo-Portuguese victory of the Peninsular War.

The Non-Intercourse Act, lifting the Embargo Act except for the United Kingdom and France, is passed by the U.S. Congress.

U.S. President James Madison enacted a ninety-day embargo on trade with the United Kingdom.

War of 1812: U.S. President James Madison asks the Congress to declare war on the United Kingdom.

War of 1812: The U.S. Congress declares war on the United Kingdom.

War of 1812: In a naval engagement on Lake Erie, American forces capture two British ships: HMS Detroit and HMS ''Caledonia''.

''Pride and Prejudice'' is first published in the United Kingdom.

British soldiers burn Buffalo, New York during the War of 1812.

The Convention of London, a treaty between the United Kingdom and the United Provinces, is signed in London.

British troops invade Washington, D.C. and burn down the White House and several other buildings.

Battle of North Point: an American detachment halts the British land advance to Baltimore in the War of 1812.

In a turning point in the War of 1812, the British fail to capture Baltimore, Maryland.

Austria, the United Kingdom, and France form a secret defensive alliance treaty against Prussia and Russia.

The U.S. vessel ''SS Savannah'' arrives at Liverpool, United Kingdom. She is the first steam-propelled vessel to cross the Atlantic, although most of the journey is made under sail.

Chippewas turn over huge tract of land in Ontario to the United Kingdom.

Ashantis defeat British forces in the Gold Coast.