3 January – The first issue of
The Examiner appeared, edited by
Leigh Hunt and published by his brother John Hunt. [2]
12 January –
John Rennie's scheme to defend
St Mary's Church, Reculver in south east England, founded in 669, from
coastal erosion is abandoned in favour of demolition, despite the church being an exemplar of Anglo-Saxon architecture and sculpture.
6 May – As the kingdom of Spain passes under the control of Napoleon, the
Anglo-Spanish War (1796–1808) effectively ends as the United Kingdom allies with Spain and Portugal against the French in the
Peninsular War.
30 June – Chemist
Humphry Davy informs the
Royal Society of London of his isolation and discovery of two elements by
electrolysis. From
lime, he has produced
calcium and established that lime is calcium oxide; by heating
boric acid and
potassium in a copper tube, he creates a substance he calls boracium, and which is eventually called
boron.[6] This year he also isolates
magnesium and
strontium.
21 August – Peninsular War:
Battle of Vimeiro: British-Portuguese troops under Wellesley defeat the French.[7]
20 September – The original
Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in
London is destroyed by fire along with most of the scenery, costumes and scripts. Rebuilding begins in December.