What Happened in 1781 — Events, Births & Deaths

American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia, is burned by British naval forces led by former American general Benedict Arnold.

In the Battle of Jersey, the British defeat the last attempt by France to invade Jersey in the Channel Islands.

William Herschel discovers Uranus.

The British under Charles Cornwallis defeat American forces under Nathanael Greene in the battle of Guilford Court House.

American Revolutionary War: British and French ships clash in the Battle of Fort Royal off the coast of Martinique.

Jack Jouett begins his midnight ride to warn Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature of an impending British raid.

The Battle of Raft Swamp marks the last battle fought in North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War with a Patriot victory. It occurred four days before the British surrender at Yorktown.

The Patent of Toleration, providing limited freedom of worship, is approved in Austria.

The crew of the British slave ship Zong murders 54 Africans by dumping them into the sea to claim insurance, beginning the Zong massacre.