In what year did American forces defeat the British at Saratoga?

The American forces defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, a significant turning point in the American Revolutionary War. This battle, which consisted of two key engagements in September and October, marked the first major American victory against the British and was crucial in gaining international support for the American cause, particularly from France. The victory at Saratoga convinced France to formally ally with the Americans, providing military support that was instrumental in the eventual success of the revolution.

The other years mentioned are pivotal in the context of the Revolutionary War but do not correspond to the date of the Saratoga victory. In 1775, the Revolutionary War was just beginning with events like the Battles of Lexington and Concord. By 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed, marking a year of escalation rather than significant battlefield victories for the American forces. Lastly, 1781 was when the war was nearing its conclusion with the surrender of British General Cornwallis at Yorktown, which is a different significant event from the earlier triumph at Saratoga.