The historic town of Yorktown Virginia celebrates Yorktown Day annually on October 19th with wreath laying ceremonies, a parade, and an inspirational ceremony with several noteworthy speakers at the foot of the Victory Monument . Yorktown Day commemorates the surrender of Lord Cornwallis’ British and German troops at Yorktown, Virginia, to General George Washington’s Allied American and French troops on October 19, 1781.
The History of Yorktown Day - Taken from the Official Program:
On October 19, 1947, the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated the 25th ceremony of sponsorship of the Yorktown Day activities. The ceremony spurred the interest of other groups to form a committee to plan and carry out Yorktown Day programs. On August 19, 1949, the committee formed the Yorktown Day Association. Among its activities was the placement of memorial wreaths at the Monument to Alliance and Victory by various societies, which set the tradition upon which future Yorktown Days were based. Since that time, the Yorktown Day Association members have planned patriotic exercise every year to commemorate the victory at Yorktown, which virtually assured American indepience.
This event has been high on my bucket list and I’m just so thrilled to have attended it. Enjoy!
