5 January –
Robert-François Damiens makes an unsuccessful assassination attempt on
Louis XV of France. On 28 March Damiens is publicly executed by dismemberment, the last person in France to suffer this punishment.
3–9 August –
French and Indian War: A French army under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm forces the English to surrender
Fort William Henry. The French army's Indian allies slaughter the survivors for unclear reasons.
5 January –
Robert-François Damiens makes an unsuccessful assassination attempt on
Louis XV of France. On 28 March Damiens is publicly executed by dismemberment, the last person in France to suffer this punishment.
3–9 August –
French and Indian War: A French army under Louis-Joseph de Montcalm forces the English to surrender
Fort William Henry. The French army's Indian allies slaughter the survivors for unclear reasons.