225 years ago, a major event.... forgotten today ? pics

[tocqueville]

Beginning today, festivities will occur in Yorktown, Virginia to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. The siege and battle of Yorktown, which lasted from October 6-19 of 1781, is considered as the decisive victory in the American War of Independence, and marked an end to the rule of the British over Colonial America. It also marked the beginning of what would become a long and remarkable relationship between the new Allies, France and America.

In what many military historians describe as one of the first combined operations in military history, French and American troops encircled Cornwallis and his 21,000 men in Yorktown. In addition, French Admiral Francois de Grasse moved his entire fleet of 24 ships off the line into the Chesapeake Bay, to reinforce the Allies with an additional 3,000 men, as well as to block any British reinforcement coming from the sea. Under the guidance of General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, over 9,000 American and 25,000 French troops began a series of sieges, each creeping closer towards the British positions. When French engineers had completed their task, the Allies began using artillery to weaken Cornwallis. These artillery barrages were quickly followed by successive French and American attacks on the British fortifications.

Realizing that he would not be receiving the needed help to breakout, Cornwallis surrendered his force on October 19th. While small, sporadic skirmishes would still occur for the next week or so, the war was, for the most part, over.

Excerpt from a book titled “American Military History,” and published by the United States Army (page 99):

“For all these American virtues and British difficulties and mistakes, the Americans still required French aid - money, supplies, and in the last phase military force - to win a decisive and clear-cut military victory. Most of the muskets, bayonets and cannons used by the Continental Army came from France. The French contested the control of the seas that was so vital to the British, and compelled them to divert forces from the American mainland to other areas. The final stroke at Yorktown, though a product of Washington’s strategic conception, was possible only because of the temporary predominance of French naval power off the American coast and the presence of a French army.”

Perhaps this was the first World War?

Today, the battlefield can be visited, and historical markers point to places where specific events occurred. A single stone cross marks the spot where approximately 50 French soldiers are buried. Nearby is a memorial inscribed with the names of over 1,500 French soldiers and sailors who also died for America’s independence, but have no known graves, or died at sea.

French Defense Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie will attend the ceremonies. The French navy frigate De Grasse will also be present. Her sailors are to march in a parade. The Marine band Bagad de Lann Bihoue will lead with bagpipes.

So, when one looks back at the oldest alliance in modern history, some may wish to celebrate the mutual affection between the French and American peoples. Others may ask themselves, “Where has all the love gone?”

For my part, I will view this as a renewal of sorts, a renewal of a pact that was signed in blood by our two nations, a celebration of our many shared interests, in spite of our differences. A reaffirmation of something truly remarkable, something we hope will continue for another 200 years and more. I intend to celebrate in my own way: I will have an American flag and a French flag displayed in front of my house for the entire weekend, and I will drink a toast to all the French and American men and women who, like me, realize the great value of the “Oldest Alliance“.

Remarkably, little media attention seems to be devoted to the event, and it will be interesting to gauge the media coverage in both France and the U.S. We shall see.

http://superfrenchie.com/?p=1018#more-1018





French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, left, talks with other dignitaries on Thursday, Oct 19, 2006, in Yorktown, Va., before the start of the celebration of the 225th anniversary....



Members of the French military and French civilians begin singing their country's national anthem acappella after a problem with it being played over the loud speaker system developed, Thursday, Oct 19, 2006, in Yorktown, Va., during the celebration of the 225th anniversary of the battle at Yorktown, the last battle of the American Revolution. (AP Photo/Gary C. Knapp).



French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, left, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, right, and France's Ambassador to the U.S., Jean-David Levitte, right, listen to introductions of guests, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006....



no comments

[Demeter]

1. Celebrate By Kicking Another King George In the Butt!

[tocqueville]

3. it's a shame that "macaca" is representing the US

and was the breakdown of the loudspeakers during the singing of the "Marseillaise" accidental ?

[Kikosexy2]

2. oooo...

la la...slap her, she's French...

[Parche]

4. yorktown

USS Yorktown CV10........a battle to remember, a Carrier to remember

[whistle]

5. Macaca Allen brightening the crowd's day

:wtf: and the Grey Ghost