历史上的今天-Today in History 2009-10-19

 October 19th, 1781The decisive victory in the Revolutionary War. British troops under Lord Cornwallis surrender to American and French forces at the battle of York town in Virginia. In a peace treaty a few years later Britain officially recognizes the independence of its former colonies, the United States.

1987A stock market crash on Wall Street. The Dow Jones plunges¹ 508 points or 22.6 percent in value, that’s the second biggest one-day percentage drop for the Dow ever.

1812French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte began a disastrous² retreat from Moscow. Tens of thousands of troops die from hunger, cold and Russian attacks during the retreat as winter arrives early.

and 1977.

The supersonic Concorde makes its first landing in New York City.

Today in History, Oct. 19th, Nancy Lance, the Associated Press.

1 plunges   

n.跳进，投入vt.使投入，使插入，使陷入vi.投入，跳进，陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• Even before he plunges into his program, he has his audience in his pocket. 他的节目甚至还没有出场，就已控制住了观众。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• 'Monseigneur, he precipitated himself over the hill-side, head first, as a person plunges into the river.' “大人，他头冲下跳下山坡去了，像往河里跳一样。” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

2 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。