Evacuation Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Massachusetts General Laws establish March 17 as a Suffolk County-only legal holiday with open-office qualifications and an annual gubernatorial proclamation; NPS history documents Boston’s 1901 holiday origin.
About Evacuation Day
Evacuation Day is observed on March 17 in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, commemorating the British evacuation of Boston in 1776.
Massachusetts law includes it as a legal holiday for Suffolk County only, while also requiring state and municipal offices there to remain open and appropriately staffed.
Why Evacuation Day matters
The observance connects a local civic holiday with the end of the Siege of Boston and the fortification of Dorchester Heights during the American Revolution.
Its legal status is geographically limited: Massachusetts identifies it as a Suffolk County holiday, not a statewide state holiday.
History of Evacuation Day
British forces evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776 after Continental forces fortified Dorchester Heights, ending the Siege of Boston.
National Park Service history records that the City of Boston established an annual citywide Evacuation Day holiday on March 17 in 1901 while planning the Dorchester Heights monument.
Current Massachusetts law includes March 17 as Evacuation Day for Suffolk County and separately directs the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging appropriate commemorative exercises.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the current Suffolk County legal-holiday framework
Massachusetts General Laws c.4 §7 and c.6 §12K
First documented observance
National Park Service history records that Boston established an annual citywide Evacuation Day holiday in 1901 and documents the first parade-era observance.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local Boston commemorating institutions
Massachusetts law requires an annual gubernatorial proclamation, while local institutions including the National Park Service and community partners continue commemorative programs.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Evacuation Day in Boston
How to Observe Evacuation Day
Visit Dorchester Heights or use National Park Service material to learn how the 1776 fortification affected the Siege of Boston.
Read primary or museum sources about the evacuation of Boston and the people affected by the siege.
Attend a local historical commemoration or community program where available.
If planning around offices or services, check current local schedules rather than assuming that Suffolk County offices close for the holiday.
Evacuation Day Facts
Evacuation Day is observed on March 17.
Its current Massachusetts legal-holiday designation applies to Suffolk County only.
Massachusetts law requires public offices in Suffolk County to remain open and appropriately staffed on Evacuation Day.
The date commemorates the British evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776.
National Park Service history traces Boston’s annual citywide holiday to 1901.
Evacuation Day Messages
Wishing Boston and Suffolk County a meaningful Evacuation Day grounded in local history and remembrance.
May Evacuation Day encourage curiosity about the people, places and events that shaped Boston in 1776.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Massachusetts Legislature — General Laws c.4 §7 (opens in a new tab)
State Statutory Holiday · Government
Massachusetts Legislature — General Laws c.6 §12K (opens in a new tab)
State Proclamation Statute
Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth — Legal Holidays and Statistics (opens in a new tab)
State Government Guidance
National Park Service — Transforming Telegraph Hill and Remembering Dorchester Heights (opens in a new tab)
Federal Historical Source
National Park Service — The Evacuation of Boston, 1776 (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Evacuation Day?
17 March The documented recurrence rule is: 17 March.
Does Evacuation Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Evacuation Day an official public holiday?
Within the reviewed scope, it is identified as Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States — legal-holiday designation with statutory qualifications. That status is not automatically extended to other countries or jurisdictions.
Who established or recognizes Evacuation Day?
The reviewed sources identify Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the current Suffolk County legal-holiday framework as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local Boston commemorating institutions.
Is Evacuation Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States — legal-holiday designation with statutory qualifications. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-21.
When is Evacuation Day in Massachusetts?
It is observed on March 17.
Is Evacuation Day a statewide Massachusetts holiday?
No. Current Massachusetts law gives it a legal-holiday designation with respect to Suffolk County only.
Are Suffolk County government offices automatically closed?
No. Massachusetts law specifically requires state and municipal agencies and other public offices in Suffolk County to remain open and appropriately staffed on Evacuation Day.
What does Evacuation Day commemorate?
It commemorates the British evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776 after the fortification of Dorchester Heights.
Other observances on March 17
These observances are also listed on March 17, 2027.
Feast of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles
Catholic Online lists Saint Gertrude of Nivelles among saints commemorated on March 17, and an older Lives of the Saints source independently places her feast on March 17.
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Day
Proclamation No. 15 declares 17 March 1966 and every March 17 thereafter as Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Day.
SBDC Day
America’s SBDC / SBDCNet, with U.S. Small Business Administration participation
St Patrick's Day
Government of Ireland material identifies 17 March as St Patrick’s Day and Ireland’s national holiday; the Workplace Relations Commission lists it among current public holidays, while the I…