Cornwallis Surrendered

19 October 1781 

On this date in 19 October 1781...

British General Cornwallis formally surrendered at Yorktown with 8,000 men, effectively ending the American War for Independence.

Other Years:

• 1765 - The Stamp Act Congress met and drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.
• 1814 - The first documented performance of "The Defence of Fort McHenry" with music took place at the Holliday Street Theatrein Baltimore, Maryland. The song was later published as "The Star-Spangled Banner." 
• 1864 - The cruiser C.S.S. Shenandoah was officially received into Confederate Navy.
• 1864 - Lieutenant Bennett Henderson Young led a force of twenty escaped Confederate prisoners on a cavalry raid at St. Albans, Vermont twelve miles from the U.S.-Canadian border.  The force sacked the town’s three banks of $208,000 before escaping into Canada where they were arrested and later released by Canadian authorities.
• 1917 - Love Field in Dallas, Texas opened.
• 1989 - The U.S. Senate rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that barred the desecration of the American flag.

Read: Why Know Southern History?

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