Yorktown Day Celebration takes place in Homburg

The German American Institute Saarland and the Saarpfalz County will sponsor the Battle of Yorktown Day celebration at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Homburg town hall, Am Forum 1. The event will include a talk and a reception.

Yorktown is the place of the final battle of the soldiers of the colonies on the American continent against the British mother country. On Oct. 19, 1781, independence was won with significant support from soldiers from the border region of Saarland and Palatinate serving in the “Régiment Royal Deux-Ponts.” Stationed in and around Homburg and Zweibruecken, the regiment was sent to the American continent via various stations in order to support the colonies in their struggle for independence against the British. During the night of Oct. 14, “Redoute No. 9,” a central position of defence of the British, was overrun by the regiment commanded by Christian von Zweybruecken, the Count of Forbach. Thus, the regiment, together with the French army, forced the British General Cornwallis to surrender.

Organizers would like to honor the historical connection between the USA and the border region of Saarland and Palatinate and the town of Forbach, a town just across the border in France, with a day of commemoration.

Dr. Theophil Gallo, Saar-pfalz County commissioner, will welcome the guests, and James W. Herman, U.S. Consul General in Frankfurt, will provide an opening speech. Klaus Friedrich will then talk about, “Off to America! — The glorious adventures of the German-French infantry regiment Royal Deux-Ponts during the War of Independence.

Musical entertainment by the Palatina Washboard Jassband and a social gathering with drinks and snacks will follow.

Guests of this German-American event will have the opportunity to talk to people, make new friends, and enjoy the friendship.

The exhibition, “Remembering the past … Building bridges to the future,” with historical images of the “War of Independence” and “Battle of Yorktown” will support the celebration program. Information booths will be available to provide material on cultural and touristic activities in Saarland and Zweibruecken.