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Birth
Marie Antoinette was born on November 2nd, 1755 in Vienna, Austria. She was born as Josèphe-Jeanne-Marie Antoinette and went by Maria Antonia. Maria was the daughter of Holy Roman emperor Francis I and empress Maria Theresa. She was their 15th child and their youngest daughter. She was the archduchess of Austria (newworldencyclopedia.org) (galegroup.com). -
Moscow University is established by Elizabeth of Russia
On November 25th 1755, one of the oldest Russian institutions of higher education, Moscow University, was established. It was established by Elizabeth of Russia. In 1940, the university was named after a Russian scientist, Academician Mikhail Lomonosov (1711 - 1765), who greatly contributed to the establishment of the university in Moscow. This is significant because it was the first form of education in a university for Russia (msu.ru). -
Great Boston Fire
On March 20th, 1760, The Great Boston fire was an extensive fire that destroyed a lot of land in downtown Boston. The fire destroyed 349 buildings in the area between the modern Washington Street and Fort Hill, as well as many ships in port. Over a thousand people were left homeless after the traumatic event. This event is significant because it is a big part of Boston's culture (revolvy.com). -
Father's Death
Maria was very close with her father when she was a child. When Marie Antoinette was ten years old, her father died on August 18th, 1765. He died at the age of fifty-six, which was devastating to young Maria. This event is significant because it changed her for the rest of her life. She would forever feel deep sorrow. This event "typified her complex personality, which was often eclipsed by her public image as a pitiless and money-wasting queen" (galegroup.com). -
Boston Massacre
On March 5th, 1770 a deadly riot occurred on King Street in Boston right by the Customs House. It started with American colonists yelling and throwing snowballs/sticks at British soldiers, but quickly escalated to a bloody crime scene. The event is important because it increased the anger from the colonists to Britain and paved the way for the American Revolution. Five colonists died and three more were injured (history.com). -
Captain James Cook claims Australia
On April 19th, 1770, British explorer Captain James Cook was the first to sight Australia. Cook had been sailing to Tahiti, then continued on to New Zealand, and then sailed along the length of Australia's eastern coast. This is significant because Australia had never been seen before by Europeans. Cook claimed Australia for Britain and named it New South Wales. Cook and his crew then returned home, arriving in July 1771 (bbc.co.uk). -
Marriage
Archduchess Antonia married the Dauphin of France, Louis-Auguste, on May 16th, 1770 when she was the age of fifteen. Maria Antonia went by Marie Antoinette after getting married. She wed to tighten the alliance between France and Austria. The young couple started off as “politically disastrous and personally fragile,” but they eventually became a devoted couple. Together they had four children (galegroup.com) (newworldencyclopedia.org). -
Ascending the Throne
During the afternoon on May 10th, 1774, King Louis XV died. Louis XVI was next in line for the throne, so he would become king. Marie Antoinette was nineteen at the time when she was crowned queen of France. The young royals were greeted with rejoicing throughout France. The queen was especially adored, which wouldn’t last for long. This is significant because it was the beginning of her reign (newworldencyclopedia.org). -
Madame Déficit
The famous nickname for Marie Antoinette arose around May 20th, 1774 due to her scandals. The queen was disapproved by most of the public due to her disrespect for etiquette, her constant spending of money, and the friends that she interacted with. Many authors wrote about their distaste of her and the decline of the monarchy.
This nickname is significant because it shows the hate Marie Antoinette received (galegroup.com). -
US Gains Independence
On July 4th, 1776, America gained independence from Britain. By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress, the 13 American colonies broke off their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration stated the colonists’ reasons for wanting independence. This is significant because the U.S. finally had freedom from British rule (history.state.gov). -
Diamond Necklace Affair
The diamond necklace affair occurred from June 30th, 1785 to April 10th, 1786. The diamond necklace affair was a plan devised by Jeanne de La Motte and Cardinal de Rohan, both hoping for positions at Versailles. The Queen had yielded herself to a wealthy cardinal, hoping to win her favor, for an expensive diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and she was declared guilty in the court of public opinion for the stolen goods. The affair increased her unpopularity (galegroup.com). -
Fall of Versailles
A rumor spread around Paris that the royal family was hoarding the grain. This caused a mob of angry and hungry peasants and market women to march on Versailles on October 5th, 1789. The next morning, the crowd broke into the palace. The Queen just barely escaped the crowd before they broke into her chambers. This event is significant because it shows the power of the people (newworldencyclopedia.org) (galegroup.com). -
Russia & Turkey sign Peace of Jassy
On January 9th, 1792, the Peace of Jassy was signed by Russia and Turkey, which ended the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-91. The treaty established the Russian-Turkish border along the Dniester River. Russia also gained control over the entire northern Black Sea region. This is significant because the territories of Russia and Turkey were established (prlib.ru). -
Death of Louis XVI
It all began on August 10, 1792, when the Legislative Assembly was forced to suspend the King, who, became prisoner of the Commune of Paris. The National Convention abolished the monarchy. "Citizen Capet," as Louis XVI was now called, would be tried for treason. He was found guilty, sentenced to death, and was executed by the guillotine on January 21st, 1793. This was significant because Marie Antoinette didn't act the same after his death (galegroup.com). -
Imprisonment
At 2 A.M. on August 2, 1793, Marie Antoinette was woken up by guards and told to get dressed. She was taken from her daughter and sister-in-law and was transported through Paris to the Conciergerie Prison. In prison, she was no longer to be referred to as "Marie Antoinette" but was called "Antoinette Capet" or "Prisoner No. 280." This is important because Marie Antoinette was imprisoned until her trial and then execution (newworldencyclopedia.org). -
Death
Marie Antoinette died in Paris, France on October 16th, 1793 at the age of 37. She had been in trial for two days and one night before being executed by a guillotine. Marie Antoinette appeared before the Revolutionary Tribunal due to being charged with aiding the enemy and inciting civil war within France. The Tribunal found her guilty and she was condemned to death (Castelot 1) (galegroup.com).
