British troops leave Boston

Aside

Evacuation Day in Boston marks the departure of the British on March 17, 1776, ending the 11-month “Siege of Boston.” Washington had surprised the British with new fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights. The “Evacuation” took troops and Tory citizens to Halifax, NS. Evacuation Day a local holiday In Boston, often combined with St. Patrick’s Day. This broadside by Paul Revere shows the troops arriving by ship in 1775.

Evacuation Day – British leave Boston

Washington at Dorchester Heights

Evacuation Day in Boston marks the departure of the British on March 17, 1776, ending the 11-month “Siege of Boston.” This painting by Gilbert Stuart shows Washington at Dorchester Heights, where he surprised the British with new fortifications and cannons. The “Evacuation” took troops and Tory citizens to Halifax, NS. In Boston, Evacuation Day a local holiday, often combined with St. Patrick’s Day. Dorchester Heights is in South Boston.

Old North Church underground tombs open

200 year old tomb under Old North Church

200 year old tomb under Old North Church

Archeologists have opened one of the tombs in the crypt under Old North Church. Skulls and bones in piles. Many caskets were pushed into these crypts, then moved, then more pushed in. Boston Globe article.

Lexington Green & Battle Road re-enactment photo

Battle road re-enactmentBoston & Lexington juggle their dates to make Patriot’s Day a monday, starting with the re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington Green at dawn. The actual battles were on April 19, 1775. These re-enactors are near the Hartwell Tavern, on Battle Road, where British troops retreated under heavy fire from local militia in the woods.

Evacuation Day Freedom Trail + Revere

"Landing" by Revere (Boston Athenaeum) dig originalEvacuation Day  in Boston marks the departure of the British on  March 17, 1776, ending the 11-month “Siege of Boston.” This engraving by Paul Revere shows the Landing of these British troops in 1768. The “Evacuation” took troops and Tory citizens to Halifax, NS.

USS Constitution freedom photo

Constitution, with sails, Boston

Constitution, with sails, Boston

Feb 20, 1815 – decisive battle between USS Constitution and two British ships: Cyane and Levant. Victory for Constitution, her last major battle during the War of 1812.

Park Street Church winter photo

Park Street church, Boston, MA  winter snow, freeedom trailPark Street Church, winter sunset. Home to the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. “My Country ’tis of thee” was sung here for the first time in 1831.

Freedom Trail Thanksgiving photo

Old South Meeting Housse

Old South Meeting House on the Freedom Trail

The congregation of Old South Church (Copley Square) returns to its historic beginning at Old South Meeting House for a Thanksgiving service with Brass and Bell-Ringers. Boston history alive.

Copps Hill Burying Ground Freedom Trail photo

F-05310The tombstone of William Waters, d. 1691, at Copps Hill, in Boston’s North End. The North Battery was nearby, with cannons used in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Boston Historic Park – Bunker Hill photo – Freedom Trail

Bunker Hill monument clouds, Charlestown, MACentennial of the National Park Service. Many of the sites on Freedom Trail are part of the Boston Historic Park, supervised by NPS. Bunker Hill is one of the treasures.