BRITISH SURRENDER AT YORKTOWN IN LAST MAJOR BATTLE OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Yorktown, Virginia (JFK+50) At noon on October 19, 1781, American and French troops line up on opposite sides of the Yorktown road. Two hours later, according to legend*, the British army marches down the road with flags furled and their band playing "The World Turned Upside Down**."
British General Lord Charles Cornwallis sends out his second in command, Brig. General Charles O'Hara to offer the sword of surrender to French General Rochambeau.
The French officer declines to accept the sword and directs O'Hara to General George Washington's second in command, Maj. General Benjamin Lincoln who accepts the sword.
The last major battle has come to an end and with the assistance of our French allies, the American colonies are victorious. Two years later the British will recognize the United States of America.
The world indeed has been turned upside down.
*According to "The American Pageant," this story is based on an American legend that Gen. Washington's insisted the British play a British or German march instead of the traditional salute to the victors (American &/or French tune).
The problem with the story is that there is no record of any tunes being played at the surrender & the story did not appear until 100 years had passed.
**"The World Turned Upside Down" is an English ballad which was 1st published on a broadside in the 1640s as a protest against the Parliament's policy relating to Christmas celebrations.
