Britain's tax year starts on 6 April because of the 1752 calendar reform.

1752

Eleven days were dropped, so the old New Year of 25 March shifted to 5 April, and later one day more.

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The event

• Gregorian calendar1582 · Rome. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar: Thursday 4 October was followed directly by Friday 15 October. Protestant countries adopted it gradually, and Russia only in 1918.

18th century

More amazing facts

• 1748 · 1772 France banned growing potatoes in 1748, believing they caused leprosy.
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• 1756 · 1785 A former prisoner of war made potatoes popular in France.

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