Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781. This marked the end of the Battle of Yorktown, which was a crucial battle in the American Revolutionary War. The surrender occurred during the evening, after a lengthy siege by American and French forces led by General George Washington and General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau.
The surrender of Cornwallis and his British army effectively ended major hostilities in North America during the Revolutionary War. The victory at Yorktown was a turning point in the conflict, as it convinced the British government that the war was no longer worth pursuing. This ultimately led to negotiations and the eventual signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which recognized the independence of the United States.
It is important to note that while Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown was significant, it did not immediately end the entire war. There were still some minor skirmishes and military operations that continued for a few more years, but the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown played a crucial role in shaping the final outcome of the war.