The Treaty of Paris ending the American Revolutionary War was signed on September 3, 1783, a milestone commemorated by America250.
The treaty was signed in Paris by representatives of Great Britain and the United States. Britain recognized the United States as free, sovereign, and independent, formally ending the conflict and establishing boundaries for the new nation.
The date is often confused with other major Revolutionary War milestones. British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, but that surrender did not itself create a final peace. Preliminary peace articles were signed on November 30, 1782, while the U.S. Congress ratified the definitive treaty on January 14, 1784.
The Treaty of Paris also addressed boundaries, fishing rights, debts, prisoners, and Loyalist property. The separate treaties negotiated with France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic are often grouped with it as the Peace of Paris.