Yankee Doodle in the Battle of the Bands

At the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, the British were marching facing the French army, ignoring the Americans. Marquis de Lafayette, commander of the American Light Infantry brigade, ordered his band to play "Yankee Doodle," and the British troops instantly turned to face U. S. soldiers.

A legend was born of the Battle of the bands. Was there more to it than we are told? What kind of war forged a people into a Nation? And what was left undone?

Join Renselaer city historian Victor Batorsky as he explores "Yankee Doodle," from its creation in Renselaer to its adoption as a national tune.