On This Day

Americans defeat British in Second Battle of Saratoga and Battle of Bemis Heights

The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American...

The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American Revolutionary War. The second battle ended with a decisive American victory, and the surrender of the British army there. The outcome greatly affected the course of the war, persuading France to enter the war as an American ally. In both battles, General John Burgoyne commanded the British forces, while General Horatio Gates oversaw the American force.

Historical Significance

The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American Revolutionary War.

Events Before

  1. United States Declaration of Independence

    The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.

  2. "Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence

    Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.

  3. Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"

    Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish…

  4. Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjami

    Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members

  5. Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"

    The United Colonies of North-America was the official name as used by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia for the newly formed proto-state comprising the Thirteen Colonies in 1775 and...

Events After

  1. Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance are signed in Paris between the United States and France, the fi

    Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance are signed in Paris between the United States and France, the first treaties negotiated by the United States. The first treaty establishes formal diplomatic and commercial relations, and the second forms a defensive alliance.

  2. American poet Phillis Wheatley (24) weds grocer and advocate for black rights John Peters

    American poet Phillis Wheatley (24) weds grocer and advocate for black rights John Peters

  3. Naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (34) weds Marie Anne Rosalie Delaporte

    Naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (34) weds Marie Anne Rosalie Delaporte

  4. British explorer Captain James Cook is the first European to visit Maui in the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii)

    The history of Hawaii began with the discovery and settlement of the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian people between 940 and 1200 AD.

  5. 1st American military court martial trial begins in Cambridge, Massachusetts

    The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...

More from the 1770s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 7, 1777?
The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American Revolutionary War. The second battle ended with a decisive American victory, and the surrender of the British army there. The outcome greatly affected the course of the war, persuading France to enter the war as an American ally.
Why is Americans defeat British in Second Battle of Saratoga and Battle of Bemis Hei... significant?
The Battles of Saratoga were fought September 19 and October 7, 1777 over the same ground by the American Continental Army and the British Army near Saratoga, New York during the American Revolutionary War.

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