At Saratoga, after being decisively defeated in the Battles of Saratoga eight miles south of this site, British General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword and his invading army to American General Horatio Gates, ending a campaign meant to crush America’s rebellion. The victory of the world’s newest nation over the world’s most powerful inspired France, Spain, and The Netherlands to form alliances against Britain, and fighting then spread on land and sea across the globe as those powers diverted British resources away from America’s Revolutionary War. As a result, America was emerging, world powers were shifting, and the ideals of independence and self-governance rippled across the globe.

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin