Samual Prime inherits Kneller Hall from his father, Sir Samuel Prime, and enlarges the house and estate.

France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic

The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain

The second wooden Hampton Court Bridge, of sturdier construction than the first bridge, opens and is 350 feet long, 18 feet wide, and has ten arches raised on piles

London Bridge at risk from waterworks blaze

Joseph Banks tells a committee of the House of Commons that the east coast of Australia is suitable for the transportation of convicted felons

The world's first iron bridge is assembled in a few months across the Severn at Coalbrookdale

Samuel Crompton perfects the mule, a machine for spinning that combines the merits of Hargreave's jenny and Arkwright's water frame

U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, fights H.M.S. Serapis near England's Flamborough Head

The Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich is damaged in a fire

Elizabeth, Countess of Pembroke, rents Hill Lodge (formerly the mole catcher’s cottage) from Thomas Hill, the gamekeeper of Richmond Park.

Six days of riot in London are triggered by Lord George Gordon leading a march to oppose any degree of Catholic emancipation

The Taylor family inherit the manor of East Sheen and West Hall, and move into Brick Farm

William Herschel discovers Uranus, the first planet to be found by means of a telescope, and names it the Georgian star

George III makes the 'Dutch house' in Kew Gardens the private home for his family.

The English actress Sarah Siddons, already well known in the province, causes a sensation when she appears in London at Drury Lane

In the Treaty of Paris, negotiated by Adams, Franklin and Jay, the British government recognizes US independence

A 24-year-old, William Pitt the Younger, is appointed Britain's prime minister by George III

English ironmaster Henry Cort patents a process for puddling iron which produces a pure and malleable metal

The first mail coach leaves Bristol for London, introducing a new era of faster transport

James Hutton describes to the Royal Society of Edinburgh his studies of local rocks , launching the era of scientific geology

William Withering's Account of the Foxglove describes the use of digitalis for dropsy, and its possible application to heart disease

The Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade is founded in London, with a strong Quaker influence

The First Fleet (eleven ships carrying about 750 convicts) leaves Portsmouth for Australia

Scottish engineer James Watt devises the governor, the first example of industrial automation