The 1780s

1781 245 years ago

American Revolutionary War: General Benedict Arnold led British forces to victory at the Battle of Groton Heights.

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence or simply the American Revolution, was the armed conflict that comprised the fin…

American Revolutionary War: General Benedict Arnold led British forces to victory at the Battle of Groton Heights.

1780

Franz Friedrich Wilhelm von Fürstenberg founds the University of Münster

Franz Friedrich Wilhelm von Fürstenberg was a German politician and the most important statesman in the Principality of Münster in the second half of the 18th century. Fürstenberg …

Franz Friedrich Wilhelm von Fürstenberg founds the University of Münster

1780

American Revolutionary War: In the largest defeat of the Continental Army, Charleston, South Carolina is taken by Britis

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader Amer…

American Revolutionary War: In the largest defeat of the Continental Army, Charleston, South Carolina is taken by Britis

1780

The Cumberland Compact is signed by leaders of the settlers in the Cumberland River area of what would become the U

The Cumberland Compact was signed at a Longhunter and native American trading post and camp near the French Lick aka the "Big Salt Springs" on the Cumberland River on May 13, 1780,…

The Cumberland Compact is signed by leaders of the settlers in the Cumberland River area of what would become the U

1780

New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky, was observed over the New England states and parts of Canad

New England's Dark Day occurred on May 19, 1780, when an unusual darkening of the daytime sky was observed over the New England states and parts of eastern Canada. The primary caus…

New England's Dark Day, an unusual darkening of the day sky, was observed over the New England states and parts of Canad

1780

American Revolutionary War: At the Waxhaws Massacre, the British continue attacking after the Continentals lay down thei

The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence or simply the American Revolution, was the armed conflict that comprised the fin…

American Revolutionary War: At the Waxhaws Massacre, the British continue attacking after the Continentals lay down thei

1780

Charles Nodier, French librarian and author (died 1844)

Jean Charles Emmanuel Nodier was a French author and librarian who introduced a younger generation of Romanticists to the conte fantastique, gothic literature, and vampire tales. H…

Charles Nodier, French librarian and author (died 1844)

1780

Henri Braconnot, French chemist and pharmacist (died 1855)

Henri Braconnot was a French chemist and pharmacist.

Henri Braconnot, French chemist and pharmacist (died 1855)

1780

Henry Salt, English historian and diplomat, British Consul-General in Egypt (died 1827)

Henry Salt was an English artist, traveller, collector of antiquities, diplomat, and Egyptologist.

Henry Salt, English historian and diplomat, British Consul-General in Egypt (died 1827)

1780

François Carlo Antommarchi, French physician (died 1838)

François Carlo Antommarchi was Napoleon's medical doctor from 1819 to his death in 1821.

François Carlo Antommarchi, French physician (died 1838)

1780

Charles Hardy, English-American admiral and politician, 29th Colonial Governor of New York (born 1714)

Admiral Sir Charles Hardy was a Royal Navy officer, politician and colonial administrator who sat in the House of Commons of Great Britain between 1764 and 1780. He served as gover…

Charles Hardy, English-American admiral and politician, 29th Colonial Governor of New York (born 1714)

1780

The anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in London leave an estimated 300 to 700 people dead

The Gordon Riots in London in 1780 involved several days of unrest and violence motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment. They began on 2 June 1780 with a large and orderly protest aga…

The anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in London leave an estimated 300 to 700 people dead

1780

American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly

The American Revolution (1765–1789) was a political movement in the Thirteen Colonies of Great Britain. The movement began as a rebellion and evolved into a revolution resulting in…

American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly

1780

American Revolutionary War: Battle of Camden: The British defeat the Americans near Camden, South Carolina.

The Battle of Camden, also known as the Battle of Camden Court House, was a major victory for the British in the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War. On August 16, 1…

American Revolutionary War: Battle of Camden: The British defeat the Americans near Camden, South Carolina.

1780

James Cook's ship HMS Resolution returns to England (Cook having been killed on Hawaii during the voyage).

HMS Resolution was a sloop of the Royal Navy, a converted merchant collier purchased by the Navy and adapted, in which Captain James Cook made his second and third voyages of explo…

James Cook's ship HMS Resolution returns to England (Cook having been killed on Hawaii during the voyage).

1780

American Revolutionary War: Sugarloaf massacre: A small detachment of militia from Northampton County, Pennsylvania,…

The Sugarloaf massacre was a skirmish which occurred on September 11, 1780, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania when a number of Natives and a handful of Loyalists attacked a small d…

American Revolutionary War: Sugarloaf massacre: A small detachment of militia from Northampton County, Pennsylvania,…

1780

Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine (born 1712)

Prince Charles Alexander Emanuel of Lorraine was a Lorraine-born Austrian general and soldier, field marshal of the Imperial Army, and governor of the Austrian Netherlands.

Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine (born 1712)

1780

Charles Batteux, French philosopher and academic (born 1713)

Charles Batteux was a French philosopher and writer on aesthetics.

Charles Batteux, French philosopher and academic (born 1713)

1780

Étienne Bonnot de Condillac, French epistemologist and philosopher (born 1715)

Étienne Bonnot de Condillac was a French philosopher and Catholic priest who focused on psychology and the philosophy of the mind.

Étienne Bonnot de Condillac, French epistemologist and philosopher (born 1715)

1780

Jacques-Germain Soufflot, French architect, co-designed The Panthéon (born 1713)

Jacques-Germain Soufflot was a French architect in the international circle that introduced neoclassicism. His most famous works are the Panthéon in Paris, built from 1755 onwards,…

Jacques-Germain Soufflot, French architect, co-designed The Panthéon (born 1713)

1780

John Fielding, English lawyer and judge (born 1721)

Sir John Fielding was an English magistrate and social reformer of the 18th century. He was the younger half-brother of novelist, playwright and chief magistrate Henry Fielding. De…

John Fielding, English lawyer and judge (born 1721)

1780

Elizabeth Fry, English prison reformer, philanthropist and Quaker (died 1845)

Elizabeth Fry, sometimes referred to as Betsy Fry, was an English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker. Fry was a major driving force behind new legislation …

Elizabeth Fry, English prison reformer, philanthropist and Quaker (died 1845)

1780

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, French painter and illustrator (died 1867)

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was a French Neoclassical painter. Ingres was profoundly influenced by past artistic traditions and aspired to become the guardian of academic orthodo…

Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, French painter and illustrator (died 1867)

1780

Thomas Hutchinson, American businessman and politician, Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay (born 1711)

Thomas Hutchinson was an American merchant, politician, historian, and colonial administrator who repeatedly served as governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in the years le…

Thomas Hutchinson, American businessman and politician, Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay (born 1711)