1-153-621 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Battle of Yorktown, Virginia, American War of Independence, 1781. British commanders Charles, Marquis of Cornwallis (1738-1805), O'Hara and Chewton surrendering their swords to George Washington. The Defeat of the British at Yorktown proved decisive. It was the last military engagement of any significance in the Revolutionary War and two years later, Britain recognised the independence of the United States by signing the Treaty of Paris.