Join our 1st Annual Victory Series at Saratoga “Surrender Day” Benefit. Celebrate & Help Preserve the Victory at Saratoga’s Revolutionary Legacy!

• Presentations to engage both newcomers, history buffs, and readers of the Award-winning book, “The Compleat Victory, Saratoga and the American Revolution,”
• Featuring:
  • remarks by distinguished author, US Army War College historian, and service combat engineer veteran, Dr. Kevin J Weddle, US Army Colonel (Ret). He is a USMA West Point graduate who served honorably in Desert Shield, Desert Storm & Operation Enduring Freedom. Dr. Weddle’s book is recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize, the Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award, and The Society of the Cincinnati Prize
  • copies of the book, The Compleat Victory available for purchase with tickets
  • presentation by Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian, Chair of the Saratoga 250 Commission, and appointee to the NYS 250th Commission. Lauren is also a co-host of the award winning podcast, “A New York Minute in History.” 
  • Revolutionary era Reenactors and America’s Turning Point augmented reality exhibits to see ways we will bring Saratoga’s history to life.
  • Enjoy Americana musical performances by local students.
• Program runs 6:30 – 7:45pm. Questions and answer with Dr. Weddle to follow.
• All proceeds benefit Campaign for Saratoga 250 & Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library

WHY WE CELEBRATE VICTORY AT SARATOGA:

Saratoga. Marked the first-ever surrender in history of an army of the mighty British Empire.

Saratoga. General Washington gave thanks to Providence upon hearing of the victory at the second battle here. A needed, decisive victory to turn the tide, just as the capital of Philadelphia was falling to British hands and New York City was under continued occupation.

Saratoga. Congress proclaimed the first ever national Thanksgiving, celebrated in December 1777, in part due to its turning point victory here.

Saratoga. Benjamin Franklin leveraged it to cinch his years long diplomacy reaching a treaty of military alliance with France to recognize our young nation & enter the war. Later he minted a coin with Saratoga’s 1777 victory on one side, Yorktown’s 1781 victory nearly four years to the day on the other.

Saratoga. The 1821 renowned surrender scene painted by John Trumbull is one of only four portraits hung in prominence in the United States Capitol rotunda. Evidence of its centuries long significance as the turning point in America’s revolutionary fight for freedom. 

Saratoga has been a beacon throughout history of hope, triumph, and a forceful turning point for freedom altering the course of world events. Generations have written of it, been inspired to create art, build monuments, preserve the hallowed ground of its patriots, commission warships, and more. Now, we will bring its inspired history forward to new generations of Americans and freedom seekers.