03-17-2010, 06:57 AM
0
it's also Evacuation Day here!
(love the wearing of the green theme here today!)
we celebrate Evacuation Day here the same day as St. Pat's...it's a big day for Boston parties, pubs and parades!
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.
In 1776, it was great day for the Boston Irish, and not only because it was St. Patrick's Day.
Bostoners laughed, some cried, others even 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.
For the rag-tag regulars, many of whom were Irish immigrant volunteers of Washington's newly formed army - it was a momentous day.
Today, Evacuation Day is still celebrated with glee throughout Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts with schools and government offices closed in observance.
Boston Evacuation Day - 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 nearby Dorchester Heights 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 when Washington's men gave Howe an ultimatum — leave peacefully now, or attack 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.
Going down in utter defeat, the 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 a dual holiday ever since.
(love the wearing of the green theme here today!)
we celebrate Evacuation Day here the same day as St. Pat's...it's a big day for Boston parties, pubs and parades!
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.
In 1776, it was great day for the Boston Irish, and not only because it was St. Patrick's Day.
Bostoners laughed, some cried, others even 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.
For the rag-tag regulars, many of whom were Irish immigrant volunteers of Washington's newly formed army - it was a momentous day.
Today, Evacuation Day is still celebrated with glee throughout Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts with schools and government offices closed in observance.
Boston Evacuation Day - 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 nearby Dorchester Heights 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 when Washington's men gave Howe an ultimatum — leave peacefully now, or attack 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.
Going down in utter defeat, the 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 a dual holiday ever since.
