What happened in seventeen seventy-seven, tragically, on three occasions (5)

I believe the answer is:

event

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'what happened' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'seventeen seventy-seven tragically on three occasions' is the wordplay.
'EVENT' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm unsure how this is indicated.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for event that I've seen before include "Function" , "Occurence, occasion" , "Occurren" , "Thing that happens" , "major incident" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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