This Day in History - February 10

I haven't posted one of these for a while, so it is long overdue. This information comes from HISTORY®'s This Day in History.

On this date in 1763, the French and Indian War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain, and Spain.

This seven year conflict came about as a result of France's expansion into the Ohio River valley, bringing the country into armed conflict with the British colonies. Britain officially declared war in 1756.

Though early in the conflict, Britain suffered a series of defeats, by 1760, the French had been removed from Canada. By 1763, all of France's allies in Europe had either made a separate peace with Prussia or had been defeated. In addition, Spain's attempts to help France in the Americas failed.

As a result of the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas. Not only did the treaty ensure the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain and strengthen the 13 American colonies by removing their European rivals to the north and the south; it also led the French to intervene on the behalf of the Patriots during the American Revolution.