Back in colonial times
As we drive further up the East coast we drive through the oldest American settlements. In Virginia is the America’s historic triangle. In includes Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Yorktown battlefields is where the last battle of the Revolutionary War took place. Back in 1781, the British under command of general Cornwallis, fortified the little town in a last attempt to subjugate the south after they gave up on their efforts to reconquer the northern states. From October 6, George Washington and his army, along with the French, bombarded the fort for several days. On October 17, Cornwallis surrendered, and back in England the prime Minister cried “oh God, it’s all over!”. The victory secured independence for the United States. Two years later in 1783, the treaty of Paris officially ended the war. As a reminder, the declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, it was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. The statement making the thirteen colonies independent and creating the United States was created a year after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, the largest British colony of the New World. The town has been home to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Today the preserved historic center is the largest living museum in the world. Unfortunately for us, we walk through the old streets when it’s pouring rain. It’s free to walk around but $40 to get into buildings. We didn’t pay, and we don’t regret it as nothing seemed to be happening, most buildings were closed.
Jamestown, the third historic town, is still being excavated. The ruins are those of the first permanent English settlement. It’s where Britain started building an empire in the New World. The gates to the area close at 4.30pm, too early for us to make it there.
