# 1686 - 1976 Surrender at Yorktown

This stamp souvenir sheet features John Trumbull’s famous painting, The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, capturing a key moment that marked the end of the American Revolutionary War. The artwork shows the October 19, 1781, surrender of British forces, symbolizing American independence. While General Cornwallis did not attend personally, sending his second-in-command instead, the event was a major victory for America.

The figures prominently displayed include American General Benjamin Lincoln, who receives the British surrender in place of General George Washington. Washington, visible on horseback, leads the American officers, symbolizing unity, strength, and leadership at the moment of triumph. While the original painting also features French allies to the left, this cropped view focuses on the American leaders and their pivotal role in the victory.

Today, the full painting is housed in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol as a reminder of the courage, determination, and unity that defined this moment in history. The surrender at Yorktown effectively ended major fighting and paved the way for the Treaty of Paris in 1783, formally recognizing the United States as an independent nation.

This stamp souvenir sheet honors the legacy of the Yorktown victory and brings this defining moment to life for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.