On July 4, 1776, 13 British colonies in North America broke with the British Crown and declared their independence, in a momentous act of rebellion that would change the course of history. As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, FRANCE 24 looks back at France’s decisive – and often overlooked – role in the American Revolution. Read more250 years of US independence: Why France supported American Revolutionaries More than a year after the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War was still raging. On the ground, the balance of power remained precarious until the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 in the state of New York. The American victory over the British troops proved to be a turning point. In the eyes of Louis XVI, this success changed everything. For the past year and a half, the king had already been supporting the insurgents in secret. Weapons, ammunition and funds were being smuggled to the rebellious colonies, but Versailles was still reluctant to openly confront Great Britain. Saratoga dispelled any remaining reservations.
How US independence is being celebrated across the pond
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