On 5 September 1781 a French fleet under the Comte de Grasse fought a British fleet under Rear Admiral Thomas Graves off the capes of Chesapeake Bay, and the French kept the bay that Cornwallis at Yorktown depended on. On 5 September 1914 the French Sixth Army began the move against the German flank that opened the First Battle of the Marne. Each has its own full story below.
The Chesapeake, 1781
Off the capes at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, the French fleet of the Comte de Grasse fought Rear Admiral Thomas Graves's British fleet for about two hours. No ship was taken, but Graves returned to New York and the French kept the bay, leaving Cornwallis trapped at Yorktown.1
Read the full story of The Chesapeake, 1781 ›The Marne, 1914
As the German armies wheeled east of Paris, the French Sixth Army under General Maunoury began moving against their exposed right flank on the Ourcq, a day before Joffre's general counteroffensive. Britannica dates the First Battle of the Marne to 6 to 12 September, World History Encyclopedia to 6 to 10 September.2
Read the full story of The Marne, 1914 ›
