Evacuation Day in New York City Date in the current year: November 25, 2024

The last major battle of the Revolutionary War was the Siege of Yorktown that ended on October 19, 1781. The decisive victory of the Continental Army and French Army troops determined the outcome of the war. However, it took the sides two more years to sign the treaties which ended the war officially. According to the Peace of Paris of 1783, British troops were to be evacuated from New York as soon as possible.

British commander Sir Guy Carleton received orders for the evacuation in mid-August 1783. Alongside military personnel, the British evacuated Loyalist refugees and Black Loyalists, although the provisions of the peace treaty had required them to return liberated slaves to their American enslavers.

Finally, Carleton announced that the remaining British troops would leave New York City at noon on November 25, 1783. As soon as the last Union Jack in New York was torn down, General Washington triumphantly entered the city and led the Continental Army through Manhattan to The Battery.

Evacuation Day was first celebrated in 1787 to mark the fourth anniversary of the event. Although its popularity has declined over the years, the date is still very important for many Americans.