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MAIN
Holidays
St.
Patrick's Day
Evacuation Day
A major early victory in the War
for Independence, March 17, 1776
saw the British evacute Boston
without a shot being fired.
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It was
great day for the Boston Irish, and not only because it was
St.
Patrick's Day.
For the
rag-tag regulars, many of whom were Irish immigrant volunteers
of Washington's newly formed army - it was a momentous day.
Bostoners
laughed, some cried, others even reportedly gathered to play
the traditional "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning"
as thousands of British troops sailed out of the harbor in
utter defeat on March 17, 1776.
Today,
Evacuation Day is still celebrated with glee throughout Boston,
Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts as a public holiday
with schools and government offices closed in observance.
A Bit
o' History
Less
a battle than a marathon
staring match, Boston's occupation by the British centered
around the harbor, one of the most important ports in America
in 1776.
To protect
it, George Washington's Continental Army had secretly fortified
Dorchester Heights nearby with cannon captured at Fort Ticonderoga
(another early victory for the American side) that effectively
produced a stalemate.
After
an almost year-long siege, British General Howe realized his
strategic blunder and, under rules of war at the time, Washington's
men gave Howe an ultimatum leave peacefully now, or
attack us and face the consequences. A humiliated Howe chose
the first option, and retreatd on March 17, 1776 with 10,000
British troops sailing out of Boston for safe harbor to Halifax,
Nova Scotia.
The defeated
British never again tried to occupy Boston.
Boston
Celebrates Evacuation Day
Despite
the importance of the victory, Boston didn't officially recognize
Evacuation Day until March 17, 1901 when Boston's mayor declared
a public holiday in honor of the sacrifices by early patriots
and Irish
Americans. St. Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day have been
celebrated as dual holiday ever since.
For more
information on citywide events and celebrations in Boston
this Evacuation Day, visit the official site at evacuationday.com.
More
about Evacuation Day around the Web:
Mass
Moments: Boston Celebrates First Evacuation Day
What's
Up With Evacuation Day, Anyway?
The
British Depart Boston
also
see -> Travel
the Boston Irish Heritage Trail
Fourth
of July - American Independence history
18th
Century history
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