236 years ago, in 1781, the thirteen colonies achieved victory at the Battle of Yorktown. After being surrounded by Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer, and his American army of over 9,000 men, British General Lord Cornwallis, one of the most successful generals during the American Revolution, surrendered his troop of 8,000 soldiers and seamen. This effectively brought an end to the American Revolution, resulting in peace negotiations beginning in 1782.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history