Yorktown was the final major land engagement of the American Revolutionary War, ending with a British surrender in 1781.
The Siege of Yorktown took place in Virginia from September 28 to October 19, 1781. American forces led by George Washington joined French troops commanded by the Comte de Rochambeau, while French naval forces helped prevent British reinforcements or escape by sea.
The British army at Yorktown was commanded by Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. After sustained bombardment and the capture of key defensive positions, Cornwallis surrendered his army. The victory severely weakened Britain’s ability to continue major operations in North America.
Yorktown did not immediately produce the final peace treaty, and fighting continued in other places. The conflict formally ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Yorktown is therefore best described as the war’s last major land battle, not the exact date of the peace settlement.