1780


Events

   * January 16 - American Revolution: Battle of Cape St. Vincent
   * February, Armed Neutrality of the North alliance formed between
     Denmark, Sweden, and Russia.
   * May 12 - American Revolutionary War: Charleston, South Carolina is
     taken by British forces.
   * August 16 - American Revolutionary War: Battle of Camden - The British
     defeat the Americans near Camden, South Carolina.
   * October 2 - American Revolutionary War: British spy John Andre is
     hanged by American forces.
   * Britain attacks the United Provinces before it can join the Neutral
     Alliance, because of its support for the American uprising.
   * First Epsom Derby horse race run at Epsom Downs, Surrey, England.
   * Emperor Kokaku ascends to the throne of Japan
   * November 29 - Maria Theresia of Austria dies and her Habsburg dominions
     pass to her ambitious son, Joseph II, who has already been Holy Roman
     Emperor since 1765.

Births

   * June 1 - Carl von Clausewitz, German strategist
   * August 1 - Francis Scott Key,American lawyer and poet, famous as the
     author of the "Star Spangled Banner"

Deaths

   * Thomas Dilworth, British cleric & writer
   * November 29 - Maria Theresia, archduchess of Austria, Queen of Bohemia
     and Hungary.

Monarchs/Presidents

   * China - Qianlong Emperor of China, Qing Dynasty (reigned from October
     18, 1735 to February 9, 1796)
   * Prussia - Frederick II King of Prussia (reigned from 1740 to 1786)