1781

1781 (MDCCLXXXI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar, the 1781st year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 781st year of the 2nd millennium, the 81st year of the 18th century, and the 2nd year of the 1780s decade. As of the start of 1781, the Gregorian calendar was 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923.

Events

January–March

January – William Pitt the Younger, later Prime Minister of Great Britain, enters Parliament, aged 21.

January 1 – Industrial Revolution: The Iron Bridge opens across the River Severn in England.

January 2 – Virginia passes a law ceding its western land claims, paving the way for Maryland to ratify the Articles of Confederation.

January 5 – American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia is burned by British naval forces, led by Benedict Arnold.

January 6 – Battle of Jersey: British troops prevent the French from occupying Jersey in the Channel Islands.

January 17 – American Revolutionary War – Battle of Cowpens: The American Continental Army, under Daniel Morgan, decisively defeats British forces in South Carolina.

February 2 – The Articles of Confederation are ratified by Maryland, the 13th and final state to do so.

February 3 – Fourth Anglo-Dutch War – Capture of Sint Eustatius: British forces take the Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius, with only a few shots fired.