Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (31 December 1738 – 5 October 1805) was a British Army officer, Whig politician and colonial administrator. In the United States and United Kingdom, he is best known as one of the leading British general officers in the American War of Independence. His surrender in 1781 to a combined Franco-American force at the siege of Yorktown ended significant hostilities in North America.
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at
British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau at Yorktown at 2 p.m., effectively ending the American Revolutionary War
Historical Significance
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (31 December 1738 – 5 October 1805) was a British Army officer, Whig politician and colonial administrator.
Key People
Events Before
Pennsylvania becomes first US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only)
Pennsylvania becomes first US state to abolish slavery (for newborns only)
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
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
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
Snowstorm hits George Washington's army at Morristown, New Jersey
Snowstorm hits George Washington's army at Morristown, New Jersey
Events After
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
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
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.
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
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
John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of L
John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of London in 1788
Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect
Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect
Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Han
Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Hanover County, Virginia, until her death in 1831
British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia
The military career of Benedict Arnold in 1781 consisted of service in the British Army.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 19, 1781?
- Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (31 December 1738 – 5 October 1805) was a British Army officer, Whig politician and colonial administrator. In the United States and United Kingdom, he is best known as one of the leading British general officers in the American War of Independence. His surrender in 1781 to a combined Franco-American force at the siege of Yorktown ended significant hostilities in North America.
- Why is British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to Ge... significant?
- Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (31 December 1738 – 5 October 1805) was a British Army officer, Whig politician and colonial administrator.
- Who was involved in British forces under General Charles Cornwallis sign terms of surrender to Ge...?
- Key figures include Charles Cornwallis (Army officer), George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau (Royal Army officer).