A letter signed by George Washington, which paved the way for American independence, is going on display in Kew.

It was written in October 1781 after the British defeat in Virginia, and marked the beginning of the end of the American Revolutionary War.

It will be exhibited as part of Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story at The National Archives.

The document is historic because it’s the moment the British realised they’d have to give up the 13 colonies that would become the USA.