United States • March 17, 2026 • Tuesday
Also known as: Evacuation Day
Evacuation Day is a unique and deeply rooted historical commemoration in the United States that marks two pivotal moments in the birth of the American nation. While many national holidays celebrate abstract concepts or birthdays of founding fathers, Evacuation Day is grounded in the literal physical liberation of American soil from British occupation during the Revolutionary War. It represents the moment when the "Old World" finally let go of its grip on the "New World," allowing the fledgling United States to breathe as a sovereign entity.
In the modern era, Evacuation Day is primarily recognized as a regional holiday, most notably in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and historically in New York City. It is a day that celebrates strategic brilliance, the resilience of civilian populations under occupation, and the eventual triumph of the Continental Army. For residents of Boston and its surrounding cities, it is a day of dual significance—a historical milestone that coincides with the cultural festivities of St. Patrick’s Day, creating a unique tapestry of American revolutionary pride and Irish-American heritage.
What makes this holiday truly special is its connection to the "boots on the ground" reality of the 18th century. It isn't just about the signing of a document; it is about the sight of over a hundred British ships disappearing over the horizon, the sound of American boots marching onto cobblestone streets once patrolled by Redcoats, and the defiant raising of the American flag over fortifications that had long been symbols of colonial oppression. It is a holiday of transition, marking the end of one era and the definitive beginning of another.
The primary observance of Evacuation Day in the United States occurs on March 17th each year. In 2026, the holiday will be observed on:
Day of the Week: Tuesday Date: March 17, 2026 Countdown: There are 73 days remaining until the celebration.
In Massachusetts, the date is fixed to March 17. This creates a fascinating cultural intersection because March 17 is also St. Patrick's Day. While the religious and cultural feast day of St. Patrick is celebrated worldwide, in Suffolk County, the date carries the weight of legal holiday status specifically because of the 1776 evacuation of British troops from Boston. In New York City, the historical "Evacuation Day" occurs on November 25, marking the 1783 withdrawal of British forces after the Treaty of Paris, though this is no longer an official public holiday.
To understand Evacuation Day, one must look at two separate events that occurred seven years apart, both fundamental to the American victory in the Revolutionary War.
In early March 1776, under the cover of darkness and using hay bales to muffle the sound of transport, American troops moved heavy artillery—captured from Fort Ticonderoga and hauled hundreds of miles across snow and ice—onto Dorchester Heights. These heights overlooked Boston Harbor and the British fleet anchored there. When British General William Howe woke up on March 5 (the anniversary of the Boston Massacre), he famously remarked, "The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army would have done in a month."
Realizing their position was untenable and that their ships were sitting ducks for the American cannons, the British forces agreed to leave the city if Washington allowed them to depart without being fired upon. On March 17, 1776, approximately 120 ships carrying over 11,000 British soldiers, their families, and Loyalist refugees sailed out of Boston Harbor. This was the first major strategic victory for George Washington and served as a massive morale boost for the American cause.
After the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, ending the war, the British were required to withdraw all forces from the United States. New York was their final stronghold. On November 25, 1783, the last British troops, under Sir Guy Carleton, boarded ships at the tip of Manhattan. Over 29,000 Loyalists also fled the city, fearing retribution from the victorious Americans. At 1:00 PM that day, a cannon blast signaled that the British had finally cleared the harbor. This event marked the true end of the British presence in the thirteen colonies.
The timing of this proclamation was politically savvy. Boston’s population had shifted significantly in the late 19th century due to a massive influx of Irish immigrants. By making March 17 an official holiday to commemorate the British evacuation, the city government was able to honor the American revolutionary spirit while simultaneously providing a day off for the city's large Irish-Catholic population to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This "double holiday" helped integrate the Irish community into the civic fabric of Boston by linking their heritage with the founding of the American republic.
However, the holiday began to decline in the mid-1800s. In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to be held on the last Thursday of November. Because Thanksgiving often fell very close to November 25, the two holidays began to compete for attention. Over time, the national significance of Thanksgiving and the fading memory of the Revolution led to the gradual disappearance of Evacuation Day from the New York calendar. Today, it is remembered mainly by historical societies and through small ceremonies in Lower Manhattan.
History is often made of small, defiant acts, and Evacuation Day has several legendary stories that have been passed down through generations.
When George Washington and his troops arrived, they were frustrated to see the British flag still flying over the city. A resourceful young sailor named John Van Arsdale came to the rescue. He hammered wooden cleats into the pole, used sand to get a grip on the grease, and climbed to the top. He ripped down the British flag and hoisted the Stars and Stripes as the British ships were still sailing out of the harbor. This act of "climbing the greased pole" became a staple of Evacuation Day celebrations for the next century, with Van Arsdale’s descendants often performing the honor at official ceremonies.
The status of Evacuation Day as a public holiday depends entirely on where you are.
In a modern world, it can be easy to overlook regional historical holidays. However, Evacuation Day serves as a vital reminder of the localized nature of the American Revolution. The war wasn't just fought in textbooks; it was fought in the backyards, harbors, and streets of colonial cities.
For Bostonians, the holiday is a point of immense pride. It marks the moment when a group of "ragtag" colonists outmaneuvered the most powerful military force in the world. It celebrates the ingenuity of the Dorchester Heights operation and the beginning of the end for British rule in America.
For New Yorkers, even though the holiday has faded from the general public consciousness, it remains a symbol of the city's endurance. Living under seven years of military occupation was a grueling experience for the civilian population, and the "Evacuation" represented the restoration of their civil liberties and the return of their city to American hands.
As we approach March 17, 2026, 2026, whether you are watching the massive parade in South Boston or simply reflecting on the history of the American Revolution, Evacuation Day remains a powerful testament to the desire for self-determination. It is a day to remember that the freedom celebrated on the Fourth of July was made possible by the strategic victories and the physical departures of foreign forces commemorated on Evacuation Day.
Common questions about Evacuation Day in United States
In 2026, Evacuation Day will be observed on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. There are 73 days remaining until this historical commemoration takes place. While the date specifically marks the 1776 British withdrawal from Boston, it is celebrated annually on March 17, which coincides with St. Patrick's Day.
Yes, but it is a regional public holiday rather than a federal one. It is an official legal holiday specifically in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which includes the cities of Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. In these locations, government offices, public schools, and libraries are closed. While New York City also has a historical Evacuation Day on November 25, it is no longer observed as an official public holiday there, having been largely superseded by Thanksgiving in the mid-19th century.
Evacuation Day commemorates the first major American victory of the Revolutionary War. On March 17, 1776, British forces under General William Howe were forced to abandon Boston after General George Washington successfully positioned heavy artillery on Dorchester Heights. The overnight maneuver made the British position in the city untenable. Approximately 120 ships carrying over 11,000 British soldiers and Loyalists departed the harbor, marking the end of an eleven-month siege and restoring American control over the city.
In Suffolk County, the holiday is celebrated with a mixture of historical and cultural events. Because the date falls on March 17, the historical commemoration of the British retreat is closely intertwined with St. Patrick's Day festivities, reflecting Boston's deep Irish heritage. Typical celebrations include commemorative ceremonies at Dorchester Heights, historical reenactments, and the famous South Boston parade. The tradition of official recognition dates back to 1901, when the city began distributing commemorative medals to schoolchildren to mark the 125th anniversary.
The New York version of Evacuation Day occurs on November 25 and marks the final departure of British troops from the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War. Following the Treaty of Paris, over 29,000 Loyalist refugees and British military personnel left the city. A famous moment occurred when the British greased a flagpole at Fort George to prevent the American flag from being raised; however, a resourceful sergeant named John Van Arsdale nailed cleats into the pole, climbed to the top, and successfully hoisted the stars and stripes as the British ships sailed away.
During the early 19th century, Evacuation Day was one of the most important holidays in New York City, celebrated with massive parades, dinners, and 'adult beverages.' However, its prominence began to fade in the 1860s. The primary reason for its decline was President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 proclamation establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday on the last Thursday of November. Because the two dates were so close together, the significance of Evacuation Day was eventually overshadowed by the national Thanksgiving tradition.
Visitors to Boston on March 17 should expect a very busy city with significant crowds, particularly in South Boston. Since it is a legal holiday in Suffolk County, you should be aware that local government buildings and schools will be closed. Public transportation often runs on modified schedules to accommodate the large crowds attending the St. Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day parade. It is an excellent time for history buffs to visit the Dorchester Heights Monument, where the decisive artillery was placed, and to participate in heritage tours that explain the military strategy used by George Washington.
Yes, several defiant acts have become part of the holiday's lore. In New York, a local woman reportedly struck a British officer on the nose with a broomstick when he tried to stop her from flying the American flag before the official noon withdrawal time. In Boston, the 'South Boston' identity is heavily tied to the holiday, and the 'Evacuation Day' moniker is sometimes jokingly used as a local way to ensure the city can observe a holiday on St. Patrick's Day while maintaining a secular, historical justification for the public school closures.
Evacuation Day dates in United States from 2010 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | March 17, 2025 |
| 2024 | Sunday | March 17, 2024 |
| 2023 | Friday | March 17, 2023 |
| 2022 | Thursday | March 17, 2022 |
| 2021 | Wednesday | March 17, 2021 |
| 2020 | Tuesday | March 17, 2020 |
| 2019 | Sunday | March 17, 2019 |
| 2018 | Saturday | March 17, 2018 |
| 2017 | Friday | March 17, 2017 |
| 2016 | Thursday | March 17, 2016 |
| 2015 | Tuesday | March 17, 2015 |
| 2014 | Monday | March 17, 2014 |
| 2013 | Sunday | March 17, 2013 |
| 2012 | Saturday | March 17, 2012 |
| 2011 | Thursday | March 17, 2011 |
| 2010 | Wednesday | March 17, 2010 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.