Evacuation Day (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Evacuation Day |
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An old picture showing the British leaving Boston
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| Observed by | Suffolk County, Massachusetts and some state offices located there Somerville, Massachusetts public schools |
| Celebrations | Commemoration ceremony at Dorchester Heights Saint Patrick's Day festivities |
| Date | March 17 |
| Next time | 17 March 2026 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Saint Patrick's Day |
Evacuation Day is a special holiday celebrated every year on March 17. It is observed in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which includes cities like Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. Public schools in Somerville, Massachusetts also observe this day.
The holiday remembers when British soldiers left the city of Boston during the American Revolutionary War. This happened after a long fight known as the siege of Boston. On Evacuation Day, schools and government offices are closed. If March 17 falls on a weekend, the holiday is observed on the following Monday. It's interesting that this holiday is on the same day as Saint Patrick's Day. This timing played a role in why Evacuation Day became a holiday.
Contents
Why We Celebrate Evacuation Day
The Siege of Boston Ends
The siege of Boston was a long standoff that lasted 11 months. It ended when the Continental Army, led by George Washington, took action. In early March 1776, Washington's troops set up cannons on Dorchester Heights. These cannons had been captured from Fort Ticonderoga.
British General William Howe was in charge of the British soldiers and navy in Boston. The new American positions on Dorchester Heights put his forces in danger. General Howe had to choose between attacking the Americans or leaving Boston. To avoid another difficult battle like the Battle of Bunker Hill, Howe decided to retreat. His troops left Boston and sailed to Nova Scotia on March 17, 1776.
A Big Victory for America
The British leaving Boston was George Washington's first major victory in the war. This event also gave a huge boost to the spirits of the Thirteen Colonies. Boston was where the rebellion against British rule had started. So, it was a big deal that it was the first city to be freed.
How the Holiday Started
Making it an Official Day
Even though Saint Patrick's Day parades had been happening in Boston since 1876, Evacuation Day became an official holiday much later. It was declared a holiday in Boston in 1901. This happened because people were very interested in local history at that time. This interest also led to the building of the Dorchester Heights Monument.
In 1938, the state of Massachusetts made Evacuation Day a holiday for Suffolk County. Many Irish American people lived in Boston back then. Their large population helped make Evacuation Day an official holiday. When the law was signed in 1941, it was signed with both black and green ink.
How Evacuation Day is Observed
Activities and Parades
There are not many specific activities just for Evacuation Day. Most of the events, like the yearly parade and a breakfast for politicians in South Boston, are mostly about celebrating Irish culture. The parade is officially called the Saint Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day Parade.
The Allied War Veterans of South Boston hold a special ceremony. They gather on Dorchester Heights to mark the day. For many years, there have been discussions about who can participate in the parade. Boston's former Mayor Thomas Menino did not attend the parade during his time in office. He did this to show his disagreement with the exclusion of certain groups from marching.
Discussions About Ending the Holiday
Why Some Wanted to Stop It
In 2010, lawmakers in Massachusetts talked about getting rid of Evacuation Day as an official holiday. They also discussed ending Bunker Hill Day. The main reason was the cost. Giving state and local workers paid days off for these holidays was expensive.
Because of this, the state's budget for 2011 required that all state and city offices in Suffolk County be open on both Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day.
Images for kids
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Engraving depicting the evacuation of Boston
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A Revolutionary War reenactor at Boston's 2008 St. Patrick's Day parade
See also
In Spanish: Día de la evacuación para niños
