Celebrating Evacuation Day 1783: A Day that Was and Should be A NYC Holiday!
Schedule
Sat Nov 22 2025 at 09:30 am to 12:45 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Barnes and Noble - Union Square | New York, NY
Join is for a deep dive into the history of The American Revolution to celebrate the revival of a former NYC-only holiday!
RSVPs open Saturday, November 8th at 10:00am. Space is set aside for new group members, first and second timers. Email me at [email protected](http://[email protected]) if you land on the waiting list and would like a spot. This tour is free with a voluntary donation to your guide via cash, venmo or zelle at the end.
There will be a procession/short parade starting at 11:45am outside the historic Fraunces Tavern (which predates the American Revolution) followed by a ceremony at nearby Evacuation Day Plaza at Bowling Green. Evacuation Day event organized by Lower Manhattan Historical Association (LMHA).
Tour length: about 3.5 miles mostly level walking. Moderate pace with numerous stops at historic sites.
Restrooms: At the beginning of the tour at our meeting place upstairs at Barnes & Noble Bookstore and across 17th street near the NEcorner of Union Square Park. Other option - Whole Foods on 14th Street and at the NE corner of Union Square Park, just below 17th Street. Be sure to arrive early for restrooms (Barnes & Noble also has a cafe on the top floor).
WHAT IS EVACUATION DAY?
Evacuation Day was an annual local holiday in New York City and was given equal, or even greater importance than the Fourth of July! Celebrating the departure, or evacuation of British troops from New York following the Revolutionary War which lasted 7 years, November 25th was observed from the late 18th century to the early 20th century until the WW1 era when The British became close allies.
On November 25, 1783 the British military officially withdrew from New York City ending its occupation by British forces and marking the end of the American Revolution and a beginning for this fledgling country, the United States of America.
The picture above is an artist's rendering of George Washington making his triumphant return to lower Manhattan. He is riding along Wall Street near the future first U.S. Capitol, Federal Hall, where he will eventually be sworn in as our first President. After the Revolutionary War, Evacuation Day was celebrated with military parades, patriotic oratories, fireworks and banquets.
The tour route:
From Union Square we'll travel south along the Bowery Road which is likely the route that George Washington likely took on horseback. and make our way to the site of the Bull's Head Tavern on The Bowery, where Washington's large procession gathered before heading down to Wall Street along today's Pearl Street. The entourage then turned on to Broadway and headed to Fort George at Bowling Green to raise the American flag once the British flag was removed.
There are many historic locations along the route including Cooper Union, CBGBs (now John Varvatos fashion store), and the city's first community garden. Magnificent architecture and colorful history awaits us as we head into the Civic Center and historic lower Manhattan. We'll also pass through a small section of Chinatown and the former Five Points area.
The tour formally ends around 12:30pm at Evacuation Day Plaza on Broadway (by The Charging Bull), convenient to 1 , 4, 5 and R subways. Optional group lunch at the Historic Fraunces Tavern - need to have a head count in advance. You can check out the menu on their website.
https://www.frauncestavern.com/
Cheers!
Hank
646-596-3005
[email protected](http://[email protected])
Where is it happening?
Barnes and Noble - Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, New York, usEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
