The Battles of Saratoga were the 1777 battles often called a turning point of the American Revolution.
The two engagements took place near Saratoga, New York, on September 19 and October 7, 1777. The American Continental Army opposed a British force commanded by General John Burgoyne, whose campaign aimed to control the Hudson River Valley and divide the rebellious colonies.
The second battle produced a decisive American victory, and Burgoyne surrendered his army on October 17. The outcome persuaded France to enter the war openly as an American ally, providing troops, money, supplies, and naval support that significantly strengthened the American cause.
The name can cause confusion because “Saratoga” may refer to the entire campaign, the two battles, or the surrender. The Battles of Saratoga are specifically the engagements at Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. Their strategic importance extended beyond the battlefield because French support later helped make the Yorktown campaign possible.