Final answer:
George Washington and Lord Cornwallis both played pivotal roles in the Siege of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War, where Cornwallis's surrender to Washington marked the end of significant hostilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Washington and Lord Cornwallis were both significant figures in the American Revolutionary War. Washington, as the commander of the Continental Army, and Cornwallis, as a British General, found themselves at opposing ends at the Battle of Yorktown. In the summer of 1781, Washington, along with French forces, trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown, leading to a decisive moment in the war. Cornwallis had believed the British navy would support him but was cornered when Washington mobilized his army rapidly to the location, effectively sealing a victory for the Continental Army after Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781. Their commonality lies in their central roles during the Yorktown campaign, which marked the end of major combat operations in the Revolutionary War.