Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03

1773 in Great Britain

Explore 14 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1773.

Build a year factsheet Browse all countries Browse by event

Historical records for Great Britain in 1773

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 14 of 14 unique records.

14Unique records

1 of 1Page

14Named events on this page

7Named people on this page

9Places on this page

January

12 January 1773

1st Antarctic Circle Crossing

Cook, James · Antarctic Circle · Captain · Exploration / Exploration and Discovery

1st person to cross the Antarctic circle

17 January 1773

Discovery of Antarctica

Cook, James · Antarctic Circle · Captain · Exploration / Exploration and Discovery

First recorded crossing of the Antarctic Circle during Cook's second voyage

December

16 December 1773

Rebellion of Rebels in Boston

North, Frederick · Boston · Prime Minister of Great Britain · Government / Whig Party Government

Merchants board a boycotted ship to hold a tea Party & throw its tea overboard

16 December 1773

Rebellion of Rebels in London

North, Frederick · London · Prime Minister of Great Britain · Government / Whig Party Government

1st tea ship is boycotted in Boston by the British

Other events (month unknown)

1773

Birmingham Assay Office

Smalman, John · Birmingham · Assay Master · Economy / Jewellery Industry

The Birmingham Assay Office begins hallmarking locally manufactured silver goods.

1773

Captain

Pearson, Richard · Captain · Warfare / Military

Appointed Captain

1773

Discovery of Tonga Islands

Cook, James · Tonga Islands · Captain · Exploration / Exploration and Discovery

Cook 1st visits Tonga

1773

Experiences Renewed Illness

Cowper, William · Arts / Literature

Cowper's renewed mental illness interrupted his religious and literary activity in Olney.

1773

HMS Seahorse

Nelson, Horatio · East Indies · Midshipman · Warfare / Military

Sails to the East Indies aboard HMS Seahorse.

1773

ICCC

North, Frederick · Prime Minister of Great Britain · Government / Whig Party Government

Founds Inter-Colonial Committee's of Correspondence

1773

Marine Chronometer Accuracy Assessed

Harrison, John · Greenwich · Clockmaker · Science / Astronomy

The longitude debate brought precision marine timekeepers into comparison with astronomical methods and naval needs. The measurements helped reduce uncertainties in celestial reference positions.

1773

Polar Bear

Nelson, Horatio · Arctic Ocean · Midshipman · Exploration / Arctic Expedition

According to later tradition, tries to confront a polar bear during the expedition.

1773

Southern Ocean Expedition

Cook, James · Southern Ocean · Captain · Exploration / Exploration and Discovery

Continues probing the southern ice after crossing the Antarctic Circle, disproving many hopes for an easily habitable southern continent

1773

Trial

North, Frederick · London · Prime Minister of Great Britain · Government / Whig Party Government

The British Government holds the HMS Gaspee trials in Great Britain

← Previous year All years for Great Britain Next year →

How these records were prepared

Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.