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It's November 25, 1783, two months after the end of the American Revolution.

On horseback, General George Washington leads a procession of 800 continental troops into New York City for a victory march. For seven years,

the city remained firmly under British control. But just minutes ago, the last of the British

army boarded their vessels and left. As Washington and his men get closer to the city,

throngs of citizens come out to cheer, relieved from British rule. Washington waves at the

spectators as they crean their necks to get a look at the now-famous general. But just before they

make it inside New York City limits, Washington halts the procession. He motions for his men to head

toward a tavern on a nearby street corner where they can celebrate alongside the residents.

The spectators cheer as the

commander and several of his officers hop off their horses and hitch them outside the tavern. Together,

the men walk inside and ask for a round of drinks. As the bartender pours, a throng of soldiers

and citizens from the street outside form around the general. With glass in hand,

Washington turns to the crowd. A hush falls over the room, and then cheers are up as Washington

and his men lift their drinks in the air and toast to liberty and freedom.

In September of 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the Revolutionary War officially

came to an end. Two months after that, on November 25th, Washington led his troops on a victory

march through New York City as the final remaining British troops left American soil on what

will become known as evacuation day.

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