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Celebrate Evacuation Day on March 17 with a bang! This day marks the end of the British occupation of Boston back in 1776, when General George Washington forced them to leave after a long siege. Since then, it's become an important holiday for locals and those who visit each year to commemorate this significant event in American history. So break out your Revolutionary War hats and join us for some good old-fashioned fun as we celebrate Evacuation Day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1776</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>British Evacuation of Boston</div><div class='timeline-text'>On March 17, the British army evacuated Boston, ending an eleven-month siege during the American Revolutionary War.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1901</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Evacuation Day Becomes a Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>Celebrated since 1776, Evacuation Day was officially declared as a holiday in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1941</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Holiday Pay Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>Employees within Suffolk County were granted holiday pay for Evacuation Day for the first time.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Budget and Controversy Year</div><div class='timeline-text'>Debate arose surrounding Evacuation Day as a paid holiday amid budget constraints. Many outside Suffolk County were unaware of its significance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Today</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Current Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Evacuation Day is recognized annually with historical reenactments, speeches, and public celebrations across Boston, expressing gratitude for early American victories in the struggle for independence.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many cities and towns host parades or marches to celebrate Evacuation Day. Check your local listings to see if any are happening near you.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a picnic</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family together for an outdoor picnic to celebrate Evacuation Day. Have everyone bring their favorite dish and enjoy the day!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a craft project</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create a DIY craft project that celebrates Evacuation Day, such as making a wreath out of red, white and blue paper, making flags out of felt or painting stars and stripes on rocks.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for events in your area that honor Evacuation Day such as concerts, lectures or symposiums.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Light fireworks</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Light up the night sky with fireworks! Fireworks are a fun way to show your patriotism and celebrate the evacuation of the British from America.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It marks an important event in history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Evacuation Day marks the day in 1783 when British troops evacuated New York City after nine years of occupation. This event marked the end of the Revolutionary War and helped solidify the United States' status as a sovereign and independent nation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It commemorates those who died for freedom</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On Evacuation Day, we remember those brave men and women who fought and sacrificed their lives for our country's freedom. It is a time to reflect on the great price paid by so many to make sure that future generations would have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates America's Independence</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Evacuation Day is an opportunity to come together and celebrate our nation's independence. We can use this day to honor our Founders and remember how far we've come since then. It is also an opportunity to recognize our shared values of democracy, freedom, and justice for all citizens.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Evacuation Day Interestingly Coincides with St. Patrick's Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every year, Boston's St. Patrick's Day celebrations are closely tied with Evacuation Day since both holidays fall on March 17.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Dorchester Heights Monument Commemorates the Event</h3><p class='facts-content'>Standing at 115 feet high, the monument is a prevalent reminder of the tactical feat achieved by Washington's army. It was completed in 1902, a year after the day became an official holiday.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>It Marked Washington's First Victory Over the British Army</h3><p class='facts-content'>Evacuation Day boasts significant military importance as it represented a turning point in the Revolutionary War marking General George Washington's first victory over the British troops.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>13,000 Revolutionary Troops Were Involved in the Siege</h3><p class='facts-content'>The American troops under George Washington numbered around 13,000 at the time of the British evacuation. It was pure deterrence without firing a single shot!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>No Casualties Were Recorded on Evacuation Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being a military event, Evacuation Day resulted in no casualties. Thanks to Washington's shrewd strategy, it is remembered as a peacefully executed tactical plan.</p></div></div>
Evacuation Day is celebrated on March 17 every year. In 2024 Evacuation Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Mar 17
Friday
2024
Mar 17
Sunday
2025
Mar 17
Monday
2026
Mar 17
Tuesday
2027
Mar 17
Wednesday
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