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Date of Birth
Voltaire was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris. His parents were François Arouet and Marie Marguerite d'Aumart. He was the youngest of his five siblings. -
The English Parliament Passes the Wool Act
In 1699, the English Parliament passed the wool act. The wool act increased taxation and control over colonial trade and production. The significance of the Wool Act is that it forbidded the export of wool from the American colonies. -
Enrolled at College Louis le Grand
Voltaire went to college at the Louis-le Grand in 1704. It was located in Paris and it was a jesuit secondary school. At the college she showed promise as a writer. Also, going to this college he developed the ability to write poetry and to love theater and literature. He graduated in 1711 and received a classical education. This is significant because his education and development of writing made him become a better writing. -
Benjamin Franklin is Born
On January 17, 1706, Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston, MA to Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. Franklin was one of his sixteen siblings. Benjamin Franklin is significant because he became the 6th president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. -
Exiled to Tulle
On 1716, Voltaire is exiled to Tulle. The reasoning for him being exiled is because he was mocking the duc d'Orleans. Voltaire writing in a satirical way on politics will lead him to being arrested again in years to come. -
Imprisoned in Batille
Voltaire was imprisoned in Bastille for a year sentence on charges of writing libelous poetry. This wasn't the first time he was arrested. His prison sentence in 1717 was because of his poem “La Henriade”. In the poem, Voltaire uses a satirical way of writing on politics and religion which angered the government. The significance of this is that the number of angered people increased because they disagreed of Voltaire’s writing. -
Slavery Abolished in Russia
In 1723, Russia abolishes slavery. Peter the Great turns slaves into serfs instead. The significance is that the number of slaves in Russia decrease. -
Sent to Bastille
In 1726, Voltaire is sent to Bastille again. The reasoning for this was for arguing with the Chevalier de Rohan. The significance of this is that he went back to Bastille. -
Stayed in a Chateau
It was owned by Madame du Chatelet. Before 1753 Voltaire didn't have a home. So, for fifteen years following 1733, there was a chateau or country house that he stayed in. It was located in Cirey, France. -
Cotton Mills Were First Opened in England
In 1742, Cotton Mills were first opened in Birmingham, England. It was established by Lewis Paul and John Wyatt in a warehouse. This is significant because this was the world's first mechanised cotton mill. -
Voltaire Accepts Fredericks Invitation
In 1750, Voltaire accepts Frederick's invitation to live at court. At first Voltaire appreciated Frederick's hospitality, Voltaire got anxious, and finally got bored. Eventually, Voltaire leaves angry three years later. -
Began to be Outdone by William Shakespeare
Voltaire wanted to be a greater writer than Shakespeare. Also, he wanted to be able to make better plays than Shakespeare. The significance of Voltaire wanting to be better than Shakespeare helped Voltaire become great in writing is because his writing improved. -
Published a Encyclopedia Dictionary
In 1764, Voltaire published a encyclopedia dictionary. This explained the concepts of the enlightenment. Also, In the encyclopedia dictionary it rejected ideas of the Catholic Church. It was alphabetically arranged and consisted of a series of articles. This was a lifelong project and it also not only criticize Roman Catholics, but other institutions too. This was important because it helped spread the ideas of enlightenment. -
Spanish Missions Established in Florida
In 1769, the Spanish established missions in the 15th century to the 19th century. They were Catholic Missions established by Spain. The significance of this is it forced Indians to convert to Catholicism and work as agricultural laborers. -
Declaration of Independence
In 1776, In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. The U.S. Declares independence from Britain. This is a very important time in American history because the U.S. will no longer be with Britain and will be independent. -
Voltaire's death
In May 30, 1778, Voltaire dies in Paris, France. His last words were "For God's sake, let me die in peace". This date is significant because this is the death of a great writer.
