On July 5, 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, British troops attacked and burned parts of New Haven, Connecticut. Led by General William Tryon, the raid was part of a larger campaign to punish and intimidate American coastal towns that supported the Patriot cause. British forces landed at nearby beaches and clashed with local militia, causing damage to homes, public buildings, and Yale College. Although the British eventually withdrew, the raid caused significant destruction and outrage, strengthening American resistance and support for independence.