Battle of Laings Nek
Joubert leads a Boer force which inflicts serious losses under a force led by Colley
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1881 in South Africa
Explore 53 historical events and records for South Africa in 1881.
Historical records for South Africa in 1881
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 53 unique records.
53Unique records
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26Named events on this page
10Named people on this page
8Places on this page
January
Battle of Laings Nek
Defeats Colley's attempt to enter the Transvaal.
Boer Victory at Laing's Nek
His forces block the British advance into the Transvaal.
Defence of Laing's Nek
Directs Boer resistance to Colley's attack at Laing's Nek.
February
Battle of Ingogo
Leads Boer fighters against Colley's force at Schuinshoogte.
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Smit leads a Boer force which inflicts serious losses under a force led by Colley
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Inflicts heavy casualties on Colley's force.
Boer Success at Schuinshoogte
Boer marksmanship inflicts severe losses on the British.
Battle of Majuba Hill
Leads Boer fighters in the decisive Majuba victory.
Boer Assault on Majuba
The victory places strong pressure on Britain to negotiate.
Majuba Hill Victory
Leads Boer fighters in the decisive assault on Majuba Hill.
March
Armistice
Signs the armistice ending the main First Boer War fighting.
Armistice
Signs the armistice ending major fighting.
Armistice with Evelyn Wood
Major combat ends while political negotiations continue.
First Boer War Armistice
Signs an armistice with British commander Evelyn Wood.
May
Prime Minister of South Africa
Appointed Prime Minister of the Cape Colony
June
Siege of Potchefstroom
Captures the British garrison at Potchefstroom
August
Convention
Boer leaders sign the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Boer Triumvirate Settlement
The settlement formalizes restored Transvaal self-government.
Boer War Settlement
Helps formalize the restoration of republican administration.
Convention
Boer leaders sign the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Convention
Boer leaders announce the restoration of Transvaal republican government.
First Boer War Settlement
The agreement confirms substantial internal autonomy for the Transvaal.
Peace Settlement Signed
Joins the Boer triumvirate accepting restored self-government.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention after the Boer victory.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the settlement with Britain.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention with Britain.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the convention confirming Transvaal self-government.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the convention settling the First Boer War.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the convention settling the First Boer War.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the Pretoria Convention with British representatives.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the Pretoria Convention as a member of the Boer triumvirate.
Restoration of Transvaal Government
Boer leaders announce the restoration of Transvaal republican government.
Transvaal Self-Government Restored
Secures restored Transvaal self-government under British suzerainty.
Transvaal Settlement
The agreement restores Transvaal self-government under British suzerainty.
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of Transvaal
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.