The Battle of Saratoga in September and October 1777 was a decisive American victory resulting in the surrender of an entire British army of 9,000 men invading New York from Canada during the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Saratoga was actually two battles about 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York, namely the Battle of Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights, and is related with the earlier Battle of Bennington, about 15 miles east of Saratoga. The surrender of General John Burgoyne, who was surrounded by much larger American militia forces, took place after his retreat to Saratoga. The capture of an entire British army secured the northern American states from further attacks out of Canada and prevented New England from being isolated. A major result was that France entered the conflict on behalf of the Americans, thus dramatically improving the Americans' chances in the war. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. There were actually two battles at Saratoga. The first began with John Burgoyne's offensive on September 19, the second with the fighting during the Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7. In the first Battle at Saratoga, generally referred to by historians as Freeman's Farm, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. In the second Battle, otherwise known as Bemis Heights, British losses were four to one. The rebels' victory was overwhelming. After negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17. He returned to England in disgrace and was never given another command. When news of the American victory reached Europe, France entered the war on the side of the patriots. Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army with the support necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain. Britain's loss at Saratoga was disastrous because it showed the European powers that the rebels were capable of defeating the English on their own. More than any other event, it would prove decisive in determining the eventual outcome of the War and the victory of Patriots.

"Surrender of General Burgoyne," painting by John Trumbull (1822); photograph by the Architect of the Capitol.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) as built, 1956. From Our Navy magazine, 15 October 1956.

Postcard. Photo was likely taken in 1956, prior to removal of mainmast.

A great and very interesting aerial view of USS Saratoga in the second half of 1956, possibly during her shakedown cruise. "Canted" flight deck early markings are clearly visible. Note that Forrestal and Saratoga were built with a fore and a mainmast; Sara's mainmast was removed early in 1957. This was a period of change-over between aircraft paint schemes: both the "old," overall glossy sea blue, and the "new," light gull gray over glossy insignia white, schemes are represented; a few aircraft even appear to be in the "natural metal" finish experimented in 1952-1955.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower (left), with Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, visiting USS Saratoga (CVA-60) on 6 June 1957. Between and behind them is the Presidential Naval Aide, Captain Evan P. Aurand, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-22608).

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at her anchorage in Hampton Roads, Virginia, during the International Naval Review, 12 June 1957. Photographed by PH1 Castiglia, from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97674).

At sea during NATO Exercise Strike Back, September 1957.

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) at sea on 17 February 1958, as four Douglas AD4-1 Skyhawk aircraft from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) fly past in formation. These planes are Bureau #s 139928, 139968, 139970 and 142152.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1034275).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# CVA-60-4186(L)) of USS Saratoga (CVA-60) in May 1958, during her first Mediterranean cruise. She is in Piraeus Harbor and her crew is "manning the rail" for a visit of the King and Queen of Greece.

BuNo 146697, the 4th production North American A3J-1 Vigilante, conducted the type's initial carrier suitability tests aboard USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during the week of July 25, 1960. Piloted by NATC's CDR Carl Cruse, LCDR Ed Decker and LT Dick Wright, the Vigilante made 14 successful launches and arrested landings.

Official US Navy photo.

USS Independence (CVA-62), USS Saratoga (CVA-60), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11) (listed from bottom to top) underway in 1961, with crewmen paraded on deck in a spellout commemorating the 50th birthday of Naval Aviation.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. (# NH 97716).

USS Saratoga (CVA-60) with her crew manning the rail on the flight deck, as she arrives in Barcelona, Spain, 12 February 1965. Photographed by PH1 M.J. Stump.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1110849).

U.S. Sixth Fleet ships at anchor in Augusta Bay, Sicily, on 17 March 1965. The large carrier, at right, is USS Saratoga (CVA-60). Other U.S. Navy ships visible include one Essex-class attack aircraft carrier (USS Shangri-La, CVA-38), two guided missile light cruisers (CLG), two guided-missile frigates (DLG), six destroyers (DD), two oilers (AO) and other auxiliaries. There are also several merchant ships present.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1111048).

President Richard M. Nixon (left), with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, witness air and sea power demonstrations from the flight deck of USS Saratoga (CVA-60), in the Atlantic Ocean, May 1969. Photographed by PH3 Philip J. Fraga.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-72713).

North American RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance aircraft (Bureau # 146696) lands on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60). This photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center in May 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# USN 1140473).

Entertainer Bob Hope on stage with Miss World, during a Christmas show for servicemen held on board USS Saratoga (CVA-60), off Gaeta, Italy, 22 December 1969.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph (# K-80498).

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic, off Jacksonville, Florida, 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97675).

USS Saratoga (CV-60) seen from astern, while underway off Jacksonville, Florida, on 16 October 1975. Photographed by PH1 Donald D. Deverman.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 97676).

USS Little Rock (CG-4) steaming with USS Saratoga (CV-60) and other units of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, en route to an anchorage near Gaeta, Italy, on 16 March 1976. The ships are returning from a training exercise.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (# NH 98962).

Underway at high speed, sometime in 1977, getting ready for flight operations. Like Forrestal, she had been fitted with two Sea Sparrow launchers and the appropriate SPS-58 radar.

Sara deployed to the Mediterranean, July 11-December 23, 1977 with Carrier Air Wing Three. CVW-3 included F-4J Phantoms, A-7E Corsairs, A-6E and KA-6D Intruders, EA-6B Prowlers, S-3A Vikings, E-2C Hawkeyes and SH-3H Sea Kings.

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

Aerial port quarter view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, October 22, 1982, conducting post-modernization trials. Saratoga underwent the most extensive industrial overhaul ever performed on any Navy ship, the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (October 1, 1980-February 2, 1983). Several problems were soon found, including improper welding of boiler tubes, and she was inoperative for several months. Newly nicknamed "Super Sara," she deployed again in April 1984.

US Navy photo by PH3 Kenneth J. Berkeihiser (DVIC id: DN-SC-83-04010).

A bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway during operations with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, April 15, 1984. Photo by PH1 Goodrich (DVIC id: DNST8408942).

Starboard bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Med, April 15, 1984. Official US Navy Photograph (#DN-SN-84-08947) from the DAVA Still Media Depository, Washington DC.

Underway with her Battle Group, mid-1980s.

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

Underway, circa the mid-1980s

A photo of USS Saratoga (CV-60) taken in April 1985 by an F-14 TARPS pod.

USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with three F-14 fighters on her bow and waist catapults during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 15 September 1985.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97677-KN).

Mediterranean Sea, October 21, 1985 — An elevated port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60), the fast combat support ship Seattle (AOE-3) and the frigate Garcia (FF-1040) participating in an underway replenishment.

A great official US Navy photograph of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard, circa 1990–1991.

Top to bottom: USS Biddle (CG-34), USS Saratoga (CV-60), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS San Jacinto (CG-56). This photo was taken during Operation Desert Shield, September 1990, in the Red Sea, by one of the JFK's photomates.

A port bow view of USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, August 13, 1993, with Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17). US Navy photo by PH2 Al Renkel (Photo available from the Defense Visual Information Center, id: DN-SC-93-06135).

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Florida, August 1994, just prior to decommissioning.

Ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right), Newport, R.I., date unknown.

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at Newport, RI, August 2003.

Ex-Saratoga (top) and ex-Forrestal at Newport, RI, sometime in 2002-2005.

Image courtesy of Google Earth.

Ex-Saratoga and ex-Forrestal (moored to the far side of the pier) at Newport, RI, June 10, 2005.

The islands of the decommissioned Forrestal (ex-CV 59) and Saratoga (ex-CV 60). October 15, 2006.

Pier view at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, looking at the ex-USS Forrestal (AVT-59, left) and the ex-USS Saratoga (CV-60, right). Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.

Ex-USS Saratoga moored at the US Naval Complex Newport, RI, USA. Photo taken while at the Forrestal Veterans Day Ceremony held on November 11, 2006.