Quiz of the Day
The American Revolution
Monday, 19 October 2026
Anchored to Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781 — explore the Revolutionary War, the founders, and the birth of American independence.
1. Which British general surrendered his army to American and French forces at Yorktown on October 19, 1781?
- William Howe
- Thomas Gage
- John Burgoyne
- Charles Cornwallis
Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered roughly 8,000 troops at Yorktown, effectively ending major fighting in the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis himself did not attend the surrender ceremony, claiming illness, and sent his second-in-command General Charles O'Hara to hand over his sword. The defeat shattered British political will to continue the costly war.
2. In what year did the Continental Congress adopt the Declaration of Independence?
- 1774
- 1776
- 1775
- 1783
The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776, and formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4. John Adams actually believed July 2 would be the date Americans celebrated for generations to come. The famous signing by most delegates took place later, on August 2, 1776.
3. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Adams
- James Madison
Thomas Jefferson, then just 33 years old, drafted the Declaration over about two weeks in June 1776. He served on a five-man committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, but they entrusted the writing largely to him. Congress later edited his draft, notably removing a passage that condemned the slave trade.
4. Who served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army throughout the Revolutionary War?
- George Washington
- Nathanael Greene
- Horatio Gates
- Benedict Arnold
George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief by the Continental Congress in June 1775 and led the army until the war's end. He famously refused a salary, asking only that his expenses be covered. His ability to keep the army intact through repeated hardships proved as decisive as any battlefield victory.
5. What 1783 treaty formally ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence?
- Treaty of Ghent
- Treaty of Versailles
- Treaty of Paris
- Treaty of London
The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, with Britain recognizing the United States as a free and independent nation. American negotiators included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. The treaty also established generous western boundaries, extending the new nation to the Mississippi River.
6. The 1773 Boston protest against British tea taxes is known by what name?
- The Boston Massacre
- The Boston Tea Party
- Shays' Rebellion
- The Stamp Act Riots
On December 16, 1773, colonists — some disguised as Mohawk people — boarded ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of British tea into the water. The protest was a response to the Tea Act and the broader grievance of 'no taxation without representation.' Britain retaliated with the Coercive Acts, which colonists dubbed the 'Intolerable Acts.'
7. Which European nation formally allied with the American colonies in 1778, providing crucial troops, ships, and money?
- Prussia
- France
- Spain
- The Dutch Republic
France signed a formal Treaty of Alliance with the United States in February 1778, following the American victory at Saratoga. French land and naval forces were essential to the decisive win at Yorktown. The enormous cost of aiding America deepened France's debt, helping set the stage for the French Revolution a decade later.
8. Which early battle of June 1775, fought near Boston, was largely waged on Breed's Hill despite its name?
- Battle of Long Island
- Battle of Brandywine
- Battle of Bunker Hill
- Battle of Lexington
Though called the Battle of Bunker Hill, most of the June 17, 1775 fighting took place on the nearby Breed's Hill. The British won the ground but suffered more than 1,000 casualties, far more than the Americans. The costly outcome showed that the colonial militia could stand up to professional British regulars.
9. Which influential 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine argued forcefully for American independence?
- The Federalist
- The Rights of Man
- Common Sense
- The Age of Reason
Thomas Paine published 'Common Sense' anonymously in January 1776, and it sold an estimated hundreds of thousands of copies in a population of only about 2.5 million colonists. Written in plain, direct language, it made the radical case for a complete break from Britain and rejection of monarchy. It helped shift public opinion decisively toward independence.
10. Where did Washington's Continental Army endure a brutal winter encampment in 1777–1778?
- Valley Forge
- Trenton
- Morristown
- Saratoga
The army wintered at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, from December 1777 to June 1778, enduring cold, hunger, and disease that killed roughly 2,000 soldiers. Despite the suffering, the army emerged stronger after rigorous drilling led by Baron von Steuben. Valley Forge became an enduring symbol of American perseverance.
11. Which 1777 American victory is often called the war's turning point because it helped convince France to enter the war?
- Battle of Monmouth
- Battle of Camden
- Battle of Saratoga
- Battle of Trenton
The Battles of Saratoga in the autumn of 1777 ended with British General John Burgoyne surrendering his entire army in New York. The stunning American win persuaded France that the colonists could actually prevail, leading to the formal Franco-American alliance in 1778. Historians frequently rank it among the most decisive battles in world history.
12. Which young French nobleman became a trusted major general under Washington and a hero of the Revolution?
- Admiral de Grasse
- Marquis de Lafayette
- Baron de Kalb
- Comte de Rochambeau
The Marquis de Lafayette arrived in America in 1777 at just 19 years old and volunteered to serve without pay. He became like a son to Washington and played a key role in the Yorktown campaign by helping pin down Cornwallis's army. Later he became a leading figure in the early French Revolution.
13. Which Prussian officer is credited with instilling professional drill and discipline in the Continental Army at Valley Forge?
- Casimir Pulaski
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko
- Johann de Kalb
- Baron von Steuben
Baron Friedrich von Steuben trained the ragged Continental Army at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778, teaching standardized drills, marching, and the use of the bayonet. He wrote a drill manual that remained the U.S. Army's guide for decades. His work transformed the army into a far more effective fighting force.
14. Which September 1781 naval battle saw a French fleet block the British from relieving Cornwallis by sea, sealing his fate at Yorktown?
- Battle of the Saintes
- Battle of Ushant
- Battle of the Chesapeake
- Battle of Quiberon Bay
At the Battle of the Chesapeake on September 5, 1781, a French fleet under Admiral de Grasse fought off a British relief squadron near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. By controlling the water, the French cut off Cornwallis's escape and reinforcement, trapping his army at Yorktown. It stands as one of the most strategically important naval actions in American history.
15. Which French general commanded the allied French land army that joined Washington at Yorktown?
- Comte d'Estaing
- Duc de Choiseul
- Marquis de Montcalm
- Comte de Rochambeau
The Comte de Rochambeau led roughly 5,500 French troops who marched south and combined with Washington's army for the Yorktown siege. His experienced soldiers and siege expertise were vital to the allied victory. The coordinated Franco-American effort at Yorktown remains a landmark example of successful military cooperation.