On July 7, 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, British troops burned the town of Fairfield, Connecticut. Led by General William Tryon, the British forces launched a coastal raid to punish and intimidate Patriot supporters. They destroyed homes, churches, and public buildings, leaving much of the town in ruins. The attack was part of a broader campaign that also targeted nearby towns like New Haven and Norwalk. Instead of weakening American resistance, the destruction of Fairfield and other towns strengthened colonial resolve and increased support for the Revolutionary cause.