What happened in 1774

2 entries recorded for 1774, listed by date. That was 252 years ago.

1774 at a glance

Years ago
252 (as of 2026)
Century
18th century
Decade
1770s
Generation born
Before the named generations
Entries here
2
Breakdown
2 historical events

August

  • August 1

    Joseph Priestley

    Historical event

    British scientist Joseph Priestley (pictured) liberated oxygen gas, corroborating the discovery of the element by the German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

September

  • September 1

    Thomas Gage

    Historical event

    Under orders from Governor Thomas Gage, British soldiers removed gunpowder from a magazine in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which caused Patriots to prepare for war.

Questions about 1774

What happened in 1774?

This site records 2 entries for 1774, including Joseph Priestley on August 1. They are listed below by date.

How long ago was 1774?

252 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1774 turns 252 this year.

Which century is 1774 in?

1774 falls in the 18th century, in the 1770s.

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