British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia
The military career of Benedict Arnold in 1781 consisted of service in the British Army.
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1781. This year saw 23 significant events. 1 notable figure was born.
18th Century1780s
1781 Timeline
British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia
The military career of Benedict Arnold in 1781 consisted of service in the British Army.
William Herschel sees what he thinks is a "comet" but actually discovers the planet Uranus
Frederick William Herschel was a German-British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel.
Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish-speaking mestizos in the Bahía de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes)
Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish-speaking mestizos in the Bahía de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes)
A French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse defeats British forces under Admiral Thomas Graves and Samuel Hood at t
A French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse defeats British forces under Admiral Thomas Graves and Samuel Hood at the Battle of the Chesapeake (Battle of the Virginia Capes) and traps General Lord Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War
9,000 American and 7,000 French troops begin the Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War.
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at Yorktown at 2 p.m., effectively ending the American Revolutionary War
André Méchain discovers Messier 80, a globular cluster in the constellation Scorpius
André Méchain discovers Messier 80, a globular cluster in the constellation Scorpius
Battle of Jersey: Major Francis Peirson and his men defeat invading French troops
The Battle of Jersey took place on 6 January 1781 during the American War of Independence when French forces unsuccessfully invaded the British-ruled island of Jersey to remove the threat it posed to...
Battle of Cowpens: American revolutionary forces led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat the British under Lieuten
Battle of Cowpens: American revolutionary forces led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat the British under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton in a decisive double envelopment near the town of Cowpens, a turning point in the American reconquest of South Carolina
First edition of Pieter ’t Hoen's Patriot magazine "De Post van den Neder-Rhijn" (The Post of the Nether Rhine) is publi
First edition of Pieter ’t Hoen's Patriot magazine "De Post van den Neder-Rhijn" (The Post of the Nether Rhine) is published
Niccolò Piccinni's tragédie lyrique opera "Iphigénie en Tauride" (Iphigeneia in Tauris) first performed by Académie roya
Niccolò Piccinni's tragédie lyrique opera "Iphigénie en Tauride" (Iphigeneia in Tauris) first performed by Académie royale de musique at the Paris Opéra
Dutch West Indies island of St Eustatia taken by British
Dutch West Indies island of St Eustatia taken by British
French fleet occupies Tobago during American War of Independence
The Anglo-French War, also known as the War of 1778 or the Bourbon War in Britain, was a military conflict fought between France and Great Britain, sometimes with their respective allies, between...
Bank of North America incorporates in Philadelphia
Bank of North America incorporates in Philadelphia
Thomas Hutchins is designated Geographer of the US
Thomas Hutchins is designated Geographer of the US
Battle of Dogger Bank (Fourth Anglo-Dutch War): a British strategic victory, although both sides claim to have won
Battle of Dogger Bank (Fourth Anglo-Dutch War): a British strategic victory, although both sides claim to have won
A jury in Sheffield, Massachusetts, grants two slaves, Bett (later Elizabeth Freeman) and Bron, their freedom after Free
A jury in Sheffield, Massachusetts, grants two slaves, Bett (later Elizabeth Freeman) and Bron, their freedom after Freeman brings the case to court [1]
The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting in a British victory
The Battle of Groton Heights (also known as the Battle of Fort Griswold, and occasionally called the Fort Griswold massacre) was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 6, 1781...
Joan Derks scatters "On the People of the Netherlands" pamphlets
Joan Derks scatters "On the People of the Netherlands" pamphlets
John Hanson elected first "President of US in Congress assembled"
John Hanson elected first "President of US in Congress assembled"
British troops occupy Negapatam, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
British troops occupy Negapatam, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Zong massacre: Crew of the slave ship Zong murders more than 130 African slaves by throwing them into the sea to claim i
Zong massacre: Crew of the slave ship Zong murders more than 130 African slaves by throwing them into the sea to claim insurance
Bank of North America, 1st US bank opens
The Bank of North America was the first chartered bank in the United States, and served as the country's first de facto central bank.
George Stephenson is born
George Stephenson, British mechanical and civil engineer, known for british mechanical and civil engineer, was born on 1781-06-09.
Events
William Herschel sees what he thinks is a "comet" but actually discovers the planet Uranus
Frederick William Herschel was a German-British astronomer and composer. He frequently collaborated with his younger sister and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel.
Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish-speaking mestizos in the Bahía de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes)
Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish-speaking mestizos in the Bahía de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes)
A French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse defeats British forces under Admiral Thomas Graves and Samuel Hood at t
A French fleet of 24 ships under Comte de Grasse defeats British forces under Admiral Thomas Graves and Samuel Hood at the Battle of the Chesapeake (Battle of the Virginia Capes) and traps General Lord Charles Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War
9,000 American and 7,000 French troops begin the Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War.
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at Yorktown at 2 p.m., effectively ending the American Revolutionary War
André Méchain discovers Messier 80, a globular cluster in the constellation Scorpius
André Méchain discovers Messier 80, a globular cluster in the constellation Scorpius
Battle of Jersey: Major Francis Peirson and his men defeat invading French troops
The Battle of Jersey took place on 6 January 1781 during the American War of Independence when French forces unsuccessfully invaded the British-ruled island of Jersey to remove the threat it posed to...
Battle of Cowpens: American revolutionary forces led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat the British under Lieuten
Battle of Cowpens: American revolutionary forces led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat the British under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton in a decisive double envelopment near the town of Cowpens, a turning point in the American reconquest of South Carolina
First edition of Pieter ’t Hoen's Patriot magazine "De Post van den Neder-Rhijn" (The Post of the Nether Rhine) is publi
First edition of Pieter ’t Hoen's Patriot magazine "De Post van den Neder-Rhijn" (The Post of the Nether Rhine) is published
Niccolò Piccinni's tragédie lyrique opera "Iphigénie en Tauride" (Iphigeneia in Tauris) first performed by Académie roya
Niccolò Piccinni's tragédie lyrique opera "Iphigénie en Tauride" (Iphigeneia in Tauris) first performed by Académie royale de musique at the Paris Opéra
Dutch West Indies island of St Eustatia taken by British
Dutch West Indies island of St Eustatia taken by British
French fleet occupies Tobago during American War of Independence
The Anglo-French War, also known as the War of 1778 or the Bourbon War in Britain, was a military conflict fought between France and Great Britain, sometimes with their respective allies, between...
Bank of North America incorporates in Philadelphia
Bank of North America incorporates in Philadelphia
Thomas Hutchins is designated Geographer of the US
Thomas Hutchins is designated Geographer of the US
Battle of Dogger Bank (Fourth Anglo-Dutch War): a British strategic victory, although both sides claim to have won
Battle of Dogger Bank (Fourth Anglo-Dutch War): a British strategic victory, although both sides claim to have won
A jury in Sheffield, Massachusetts, grants two slaves, Bett (later Elizabeth Freeman) and Bron, their freedom after Free
A jury in Sheffield, Massachusetts, grants two slaves, Bett (later Elizabeth Freeman) and Bron, their freedom after Freeman brings the case to court [1]
The Battle of Groton Heights takes place, resulting in a British victory
The Battle of Groton Heights (also known as the Battle of Fort Griswold, and occasionally called the Fort Griswold massacre) was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 6, 1781...
Joan Derks scatters "On the People of the Netherlands" pamphlets
Joan Derks scatters "On the People of the Netherlands" pamphlets
John Hanson elected first "President of US in Congress assembled"
John Hanson elected first "President of US in Congress assembled"
British troops occupy Negapatam, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
British troops occupy Negapatam, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Zong massacre: Crew of the slave ship Zong murders more than 130 African slaves by throwing them into the sea to claim i
Zong massacre: Crew of the slave ship Zong murders more than 130 African slaves by throwing them into the sea to claim insurance
Bank of North America, 1st US bank opens
The Bank of North America was the first chartered bank in the United States, and served as the country's first de facto central bank.
Famous Births
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1781?
- In 1781, there were 23 significant historical events. Notable events include British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia, William Herschel sees what he thinks is a "comet" but actually discovers the planet Uranus, Los Angeles is founded by 44 Spanish-speaking mestizos in the Bahía de las Fumas (Bay of Smokes).
- Who was born in 1781?
- 1 notable figure was born in 1781, including George Stephenson is born.