National Parks of Boston and Partners Commemorate 250th Anniversary of Evacuation Day

BOSTON - The National Parks of Boston - partnering with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, the South Boston Citizens Association, and civic and historic organizations - will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Evacuation Day with a series of events marking the historic departure of British forces from Boston in 1776 and the first major victory of the American Revolutionary War. These events are part of our national celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The 250th anniversary of Evacuation Day will kick off on March 5 to honor the service and sacrifice of thousands of soldiers and civilians, whose efforts ended the 332-day Siege of Boston and altered the course of American history. Featured events include:

• A re-creation of an historic town meeting where the public can take part as if they were there on that fateful day, deciding the fate of the British.
• A two-hour cruise through Boston Harbor to explore the story of the Siege of Boston from the water, with narration from a National Park Service ranger.
• A virtual talk on the Siege of Boston hosted by Boston Public Library.
• A hands-on family-friendly program bringing the artillery encampment to life at Thomas Park in South Boston.

The celebration concludes on March 17. At 10:30 a.m., the public is invited to witness a ceremonial procession through South Boston, reenacting the transportation of a "Noble Train" canon toward the Dorchester Heights Monument. The commemorative program begins at 11 a.m., as park partners and community leaders officially rededicate the newly refurbished monument at Dorchester Heights.

The 115-foot-high landmark recently underwent a comprehensive $37 million restoration, a centerpiece project funded by President Donald J. Trump's landmark Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. Key improvements include:

• Universal Access: Upgraded pathways and site improvements ensure that visitors of all abilities can experience this historic vantage point.
• Structural Integrity: Extensive foundational and masonry repairs stabilized the tower, protecting the neighborhood landmark from the elements.
• Modernized Infrastructure: Critical utility upgrades allow the park to better host community events and educational programming.

Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA provides the National Park Service with $6.8 billion to address extensive maintenance and repair needs. These essential repairs keep our national treasures open. By tackling these long-overdue needs at Dorchester Heights, we are not only preserving the site where the Continental Army gained its first major strategic victory but also revitalizing a vital green space for the South Boston community. Please visit the history of Dorchester Heights online.

More information about the commemoration can be found here: Evacuation Day 250 Commemoration (U.S. National Park Service).

About the Evacuation of Boston

On March 4, 1776, General George Washington commanded troops from the Continental Army to fortify Dorchester Heights with cannons brought from Fort Ticonderoga by Henry Knox. Facing a fortified American position and weakened by weather and strained conditions, 11,000 British soldiers and Loyalist civilians evacuated Boston aboard a fleet of 120 ships on March 17, 1776. British forces never again occupied Boston.

Celebrating Our Nation's 250th Anniversary

The National Park Service is playing a leading role in the celebration and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. These efforts support Executive Order 14189 -Celebrating America's 250th Birthday, which calls for "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026."

Throughout the country, national parks will host hundreds of 250th anniversary programs, events, and exhibits, including many sites with direct connections to the formation of the country.

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