On Monday, October 19, Yorktown National Battlefield hosted Yorktown Day, marking the 245th anniversary of the 1781 surrender of British forces under Lord Cornwallis to General George Washington. Held annually as part of the larger Colonial National Historic Park, this year’s event followed the nation's 250th anniversary milestone in July.

Hosted by the National Park Service and the Yorktown Day Association, the celebration featured a Main Street parade, artillery salutes, and a memorial wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory Monument. Performances by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment Fife and Drum Corps alongside the Commander-in-Chief's Ceremonial Guard further enhanced the commemoration.

The VA250 Mobile Museum provided visitors with interactive exhibits on Virginia's revolutionary role, while the historic Nelson House, Poor Potter Site, and Visitor Center offered hands-on activities, historical galleries, and the park orientation film.

Visitors who stopped by the America's National Parks store or purchased hand-blown Jamestown Glass did more than take home a souvenir; they directly funded the park's future. Driven by updates on the America's National Parks social media accounts, visitors actively supported the event through these purchases. As a non-profit partner, Eastern National and America's National Parks proceeds fund the vital educational programs and preservation efforts that will keep Yorktown’s history accessible for another 245 years.

Yorktown Day is a living celebration of a nation's birth, honoring past generations' independent spirit, the sacrifices made to sustain it, and the community that continues to preserve its place in American history.