Timeline October 1780

Events in October 1780 4

• 1780 Massachusetts Constitution ratified Oldest functioning written constitution in the world Drafted largely by John Adams, the Massachusetts Constitution was approved by voters in June. It took effect in October. It remains in force today.
• 1780 Arnold's treason at West Point Benedict Arnold's plot is exposed and he defects Benedict Arnold, commander at West Point, arranged to surrender the fort to the British through Major John Andre. Andre was captured on 23 September carrying incriminating papers, and Arnold fled to British lines. Andre was hanged as a spy on 2 October.
• 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain Patriot militia destroy a Loyalist force Patriot frontier militia surrounded and defeated a Loyalist detachment under Patrick Ferguson on a ridge in South Carolina. Ferguson was killed and most of his command killed or captured. The victory checked Cornwallis's advance into North Carolina.
• 1780 Great Hurricane of 1780 Deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record The hurricane struck the eastern Caribbean in October, devastating Barbados, Martinique and St. Lucia. An estimated 22,000 or more people died. British and French fleets were badly damaged during the war.