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According to American legend, the British army band under Lord Cornwallis played this tune when they surrendered after the Siege of Yorktown (1781). Customarily, the British army would have played an American or French tune in tribute to the victors, but General Washington refused them the honours of warand insisted that they play "a British or German march." Although American history textbooks continue to propagate the legend the story may have been apocryphal as it was added a century after the surrender.

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βˆ™ 7y ago
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βˆ™ 10y ago

The British played that song because it showed the strange turn of events. An untrained army of merchants and farmers had defeated the greatest military force on the planet.

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Q: Why did the british play 'the world turned upside down' when they surrendered at Yorktown?
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What was the Music the band played when Cornwallis surrendered?

The band played a traditional British tune called "The World Turned Upside Down" when Cornwallis surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown. This song was chosen to symbolize the unexpected turn of events and the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War.


Which nursery rhyme did the British army band play at the surrender at Yorktown in 1781?

During the ceremony a British band played the song "The World Turned Upside Down."


10 interesting facts about the revolutionary war?

At the Battle of Yorktown the British surrendered and as they did so a British band played the song "The World Turned Upside Down". The Battle of Yorktown was the last battle in the American Revolutionary War.


What songs were played at the surrender at Yorktown?

The song was called "The world turned upside down" because it was very popular and it was true, the world was turned upside down.


What song did british play at the last surrender?

the world turned upside down


Why was the battle of Yorktown fought?

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was basically because British General Cornwallis, believed that in order to have control over the Carolina's, he would have to take control of Virginia. Cornwallis eventually settled his troops within the region of the Chesapeake Bay. General George Washington, ordered that Cornwallis and his troops be blockaded. From this, Cornwallis and his troops were trapped. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his army of about 7,000 soldiers. The British band piped a tune called "The World Turned Upside Down." The fighting was over.


Woman wearing wedding ring upside down mean?

Honestly when I became tired of my marriage but wasn't willing to end it I would turn my rings upside down with the jewels facing inward...I wanted to move on but I didn't want to be alone I wanted to find a new love but to scared to let go of the one that had fizzled out and left me lonley a miserable....


What was the final battle of the revolution?

ANSWER:Yorktown, was the last battle of the American Revolutionary War.On October 19, 1781, General Cornwallis surrendered his army of about 7,000 soldiers to United States General, George Washington.The British band piped a tune called "The World Turned Upside Down." The fighting was over.


Was the world earth turned upside down during the flood?

No it was not turned upside down at the time of the flood.


What actors and actresses appeared in The World Turned Upside Down - 2002?

The cast of The World Turned Upside Down - 2002 includes: Anthony Howell


When you turned your palm upside what is that movement called?

pronation


What does overturn the word mean?

Turned upside down.