A major early victory in the War
for Independence, March 17, 1776
saw the British evacuate Boston
without a shot being fired.
In 1776,
it was great day for the Boston Irish, and not only because
it was St.
Patrick's Day.
As thousands
of British troops sailed out of the harbor in utter defeat
on March 17, 1776 many Bostoners
laughed, some cried, others even gathered to play the traditional
"St. Patrick's Day in the Morning"!
For the
Irish immigrant volunteers
of Washington's newly formed Revolutionary army - it was a momentous day.
Boston
Evacuation Day 2025 - what's open, what's closed
Today,
Evacuation Day is not a federal holiday, but is still celebrated with glee throughout Boston,
Cambridge, and Somerville, Massachusetts.
In 2025, Evacuation Day will be observed on Monday, March 17. Watch for local schools and government offices to be closed. Banks and post offices will be open on Monday, but other businesses may close in celebration.
Boston
Evacuation Day - A Bit o' History
It was less of
a battle and more of an epic
staring contest. The British occupation of Boston centered
around one of the most important ports of entry in America
in 1776 -- Boston Harbor.
To protect
it, George Washington's Continental Army had secretly fortified
nearby Dorchester Heights with cannon (captured at Fort Ticonderoga
- another early victory for the American side) that effectively
produced a major standoff.
After
an almost year-long siege, Washington gave Howe an ultimatum
leave peacefully now, or attack and face the consequences.
A humiliated Howe finally retreated on
March 17, 1776 with 10,000 British troops sailing out of Boston
for safe harbor to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Going
down in utter defeat, the British never tried to occupy
Boston again.
Despite
the importance of the victory, Boston didn't officially recognize
Evacuation Day until 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 a dual holiday ever since.