Evacuation Day, now a nearly forgotten holiday, was once a significant patriotic event in New York City that rivaled Independence Day and predated Thanksgiving. Celebrated on November 25, it marked the day British forces left American soil after the Revolutionary War. President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday began the gradual decline of Evacuation Day’s prominence.
History shows that the British occupied New York City until the end of the Revolutionary War. Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British began their withdrawal, with a final evacuation on November 25, 1783. This day was a significant moment for American citizens, as it symbolized the end of British rule in the region. The celebration included grand parades, formal dinners, and public festivities, with some events featuring reenactments of the British departure.
One of the most notable events associated with Evacuation Day was the removal of the British flag from Bennett Park in Manhattan. Sgt. John van Arsdale, a Revolutionary War veteran, climbed the flagpole to tear down the Union Jack, replacing it with the Stars and Stripes. This act was symbolic of the new nation’s independence. The event also included a final cannon fire aimed at Staten Island, which was observed by thousands of onlookers.
The celebration continued with a military march led by future President George Washington and New York Governor George Clinton down Broadway, through the heart of Manhattan, where Washington held a farewell dinner at Fraunces’ Tavern. This tavern became a historical site, with its museum preserving the history of Evacuation Day and the Revolution. The event was celebrated as a major national holiday, complete with school closures and public festivities, much like the modern-day Thanksgiving celebrations.
However, by the early 20th century, Evacuation Day was no longer a major public holiday. The rise of Thanksgiving and improving U.S.-UK relations contributed to its decline. Today, the holiday is largely forgotten, with only sporadic commemorations, such as flag-raisings at Bowling Green and historical reenactments, marking its existence in modern times. Despite its diminished status, Evacuation Day remains an important part of New York’s and the United States’ historical legacy.