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Revision as of 21:25, 2 June 2010 by Magicpiano (talk | contribs) (Undid revision 365684837 by MajorRogers (talk) cited in body; leads do not require citation)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Evacuation Day | |
|---|---|
 Engraving depicting the evacuation of Boston | |
| Observed by | Suffolk County, Massachusetts and some state offices located there Cambridge, Massachusetts public schools |
| Celebrations | Commemoration ceremony at Dorchester Heights Saint Patrick's Day festivities |
| Date | March 17 |
| Related to | Saint Patrick's Day |
March 17 is Evacuation Day, a holiday observed in Suffolk County (which includes the city of Boston) and by the public schools in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts. The holiday commemorates the evacuation of British forces from the city of Boston following the Siege of Boston, early in the American Revolutionary War. Schools and government offices (which include some Massachusetts state government offices located in the city of Boston, which is in Suffolk County) are closed. If March 17 falls on a weekend, schools and government offices are closed on the following Monday in observance. It is the same day as Saint Patrick's Day, a coincidence that played a role in the establishment of the holiday.
Historical background
Further information: Siege of BostonThe 11-month siege of Boston ended when the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, fortified Dorchester Heights in early March 1776 with cannons captured at Ticonderoga. British General William Howe, whose garrison and navy were threatened by these positions, was forced to decide between attack and retreat. To prevent what could have been a repeat of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Howe decided to retreat, withdrawing from Boston to Nova Scotia on March 17.
The British evacuation was Washington's first victory of the war. It was also a huge morale boost for the Thirteen Colonies, as the city where the rebellion began was the first to be liberated.
Establishment of the holiday
While Saint Patrick's Day parades have been held in Boston since 1876, Evacuation Day was not declared a holiday in the city until 1901, amid interest in local history that also resulted in the construction of the Dorchester Heights Monument. The state made it a holiday in Suffolk County in 1938. The large Irish population of Boston at that time played a role in the establishment of the holiday. A 1941 law establishing the holiday in Suffolk County was signed in both black and green ink.
Observance activities
Evacuation Day activities in the areas that observe the holiday are limited. Most events of note, like the annual parade and politicians' breakfast in South Boston, are dominated by celebrations of Irish culture. The parade is officially designated the Saint Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day Parade. The Allied War Veterans of South Boston mark the day with a ceremony on Dorchester Heights.
Another local holiday observing an event in the American Revolutionary War is Bunker Hill Day. State workers (except those in Suffolk County who observe both holidays on their designated dates) are allowed to choose any two days off in lieu of celebrating Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day on the observance days. The two holidays are generally not observed by the general public or private businesses. Some government services remain in operation, such as trash pickup in the City of Boston and all state Registry of Motor Vehicle offices. The MBTA runs a normal schedule but, due to special events, prohibits bikes on the subway.
Controversy
As of 2010, the state legislature was debating eliminating Evacuation Day and Bunker Hill Day as official holidays, citing the expense of giving workers paid days off.
See also
Notes
- List of Massachusetts holidays
- Cambridge School Calendar
- Somerville School Calendar
- For example, the RMV offices are all open.
- ^ Vrabel, p. 241
- O'Connor, p. 124
- "With A Signature In Green, St. Patrick's Day Became A Holiday". Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- Ryan, Andrew. "Happy Evacuation Day!". Boston.com. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100302public_to_chime_in_on_hack_holidays/srvc=home&position=recent
- http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/RecyclingandSanitation/holiday.asp
- http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/bikes/
- "Beacon Hill Roll Call". Retrieved 2010-03-15.
References
- O'Connor, Thomas H. (1994). South Boston, My Home Town: The History of an Ethnic Neighborhood. UPNE. ISBN 9781555531881.
- Vrabel, Jim (2004). When in Boston: a time line & almanac. UPNE. ISBN 9781555536213.
- "Cambridge School Calendar 2007–2008" (PDF). Cambridge Public Schools. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- "Massachusetts List of Legal Holidays". Massachusetts Secretary of State. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
- "Somerville School Calendar 2009" (PDF). Somerville Public Schools. Retrieved 2009-03-17.