Rag Linen | Online Museum of Historic Newspapers

Edward Cave’s famous Gentleman’s Magazine, which he edited under the pen name “Sylvanus Urban,” is considered the first general interest magazine ever published and was the first use of the term “magazine”.

Here is the fifth edition of the January 1731 issue that got it all started.

The French and Indian War in America was formally concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763.  As the May 1763 issue of Gentleman’s Magazine (printed in London) reports, “The Definitive Treaty of Friendship of Peace between his Britannick Majesty, the Most Christian King, and the King of Spain. Concluded at Paris, the 10th day of February 1763; to which the King of Portugal acceded on the same day.” Five days later, on February 15, 1763, the Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the Seven Years’ War in Europe.  The April issue of Gentleman’s Magazine printed an “Abstract of the Definitive Treaty of Peace between the Empress Queen and the King of Prussia.”

Gentleman’s Magazine – March and April 1763