Monday, October 19, 2015

On this day in history ... the Surrender at Yorktown

The painting is fully described in the article text.
John Trumball's Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
Public Domain (link)

We have a new feature here at Aloha On My Mind where I share my love of trivia.  On this day in 1781, British General Cornwallis surrendered to Patriot General Washington after the Siege of Yorktown.  His surrender ended the American Revolution, led to the the Treaty of Paris in 1783, and created a new nation.

From the National Park Service (link),

The American Revolution had entered its seventh year when, in 1781, British general Lord Charles Cornwallis brought his army to Yorktown to establish a naval base. In the siege by American and French forces that followed, much of the town was destroyed.

Today, there are still some tangible reminders of Yorktown's historic past that have survived, giving much of the town a colonial atmosphere. During your visit to Yorktown, stop at the Nelson House on Main Street, the home of Thomas Nelson, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and commander of the Virginia Militia during the Siege of Yorktown. For hours of operation, see Yorktown Programs and Activities.

As you stroll the streets, you have the opportunity to imagine Yorktown as it once was--a thriving tobacco port--that witnessed the last battle of the American Revolution.


Have you visited Yorktown?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 24, 10 pm.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 24, 10 pm, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

US Postage Stamp, 1931 issue commemorating
150th anniversary of the victory at Yorktown
Public Domain (link)


7 comments:

  1. Haven't had a chance to visit Yorktown.

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  2. I'm afraid I haven't. Interesting article.

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  3. No, I haven't visited Yorktown. Like the new feature.

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  4. I have not. Adding it to my list.

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  5. I think I might have visited Yorktown when on a family vacation when I was a kid - I'd love to visit now.

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