1768

Events 
 January 9 – Philip Astley stages the first modern circus (London)
 May 10 –  John Wilkes is imprisoned for writing an article for the North Briton severely criticizing King George III. This action provokes rioting in London
 Secretary of State for colonies appointed in Britain
 Massachusetts Assembly dissolved for refusing to assist collection of taxes.
 Boston citizens refuse to quarter British troops
 France buys Corsica from Genoa
 Gurkhas conquer Nepal
 First of the weekly numbers of the Encyclopædia Britannica are published; 100 are planned
 James Cook's first voyage: 1768-1771

 Births 
 12 February 1768 Francis I of Austria

 Deaths 
 3 March 1768 Nicola Porpora