On This Day

9,000 American and 7,000 French troops begin the Siege of Yorktown

The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War.

The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War. It was won decisively by the Continental Army, led by George Washington, with support from the Marquis de Lafayette and French Army troops, led by the Comte de Rochambeau, and a French Navy force commanded by the Comte de Grasse, defeating the British Army commanded by British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis.

The French and American armies united north of New York City during the summer of 1781.

Historical Significance

The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War.

Events Before

  1. Pennsylvania becomes first US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only)

    Pennsylvania becomes first US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only)

  2. The Great Hurricane of 1780 hits Barbados and goes on to kill 20,000 to 30,000 people in the Caribbean, making it the de

    The Great Hurricane of 1780 hits Barbados and goes on to kill 20,000 to 30,000 people in the Caribbean, making it the deadliest recorded hurricane in the Atlantic

  3. US founding father Alexander Hamilton (25) weds Elizabeth Schuyler (23) at Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York

    US founding father Alexander Hamilton (25) weds Elizabeth Schuyler (23) at Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York

  4. Danish national anthem "Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast" first performed during a play at the Royal Danish Theatre in

    Danish national anthem "Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast" first performed during a play at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen

  5. Snowstorm hits George Washington's army at Morristown, New Jersey

    Snowstorm hits George Washington's army at Morristown, New Jersey

Events After

  1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)" premieres in Vienna wi

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio)" premieres in Vienna with Mozart conducting

  2. Musician Wolfang Amadeus Mozart (26) weds Constanze Weber in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria

    Musician Wolfang Amadeus Mozart (26) weds Constanze Weber in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria

  3. Commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, creates two Honorary Badges of Distinction and a Badge of Military

    Commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, creates two Honorary Badges of Distinction and a Badge of Military Merit (now the Purple Heart). First time military awards are presented to common soldiers.

  4. Romantic Age poet and artist William Blake (24) marries Catherine Boucher (19) in St. Mary's Church, Battersea, London

    Romantic Age poet and artist William Blake (24) marries Catherine Boucher (19) in St. Mary's Church, Battersea, London

  5. The Grand Assault on Gibraltar by the allied French and Spanish fleets, including ten floating batteries and land forces

    The Grand Assault on Gibraltar by the allied French and Spanish fleets, including ten floating batteries and land forces, is heavily defeated by the British garrison, with all floating batteries destroyed and allied casualties of 1,473 compared to only 83 for the British

More from the 1780s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 28, 1781?
The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War. It was won decisively by the Continental Army, led by George Washington, with support from the Marquis de Lafayette and French Army troops, led by the Comte de Rochambeau, and a French Navy force commanded by the Comte de Grasse, defeating the British Army commanded by British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. The French and American armies united north of New York City during the summer of 1781.
Why is 9,000 American and 7,000 French troops begin the Siege of Yorktown significant?
The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown and the surrender at Yorktown, was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War.

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