Bennington Battle Day

Bennington Battle Day is a state holiday observed exclusively in Vermont on August 16 each year. It commemorates the Battle of Bennington, fought on August 16, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War. The battle was a decisive victory for American militia forces over British and Hessian troops near Bennington, Vermont.

The holiday honors the bravery of the New Hampshire and Vermont militia led by General John Stark, whose victory helped turn the tide of the war in the northern theater. Bennington Battle Day is a day of patriotic remembrance and celebration of Vermont's role in American independence.

The Battle of Bennington took place on August 16, 1777, when British Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Baum led a detachment of approximately 800 troops — including Hessian dragoons, Loyalists, and Indigenous allies — to seize a Continental Army supply depot near Bennington, Vermont.

General John Stark of New Hampshire rallied a force of about 2,000 militia from New Hampshire and the Vermont Republic (which was then an independent entity). Before the battle, Stark delivered his famous rallying cry: \"There are your enemies, the Red Coats and the Tories... Tonight, the American flag floats from yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!\"

The Americans achieved a resounding victory, killing or capturing nearly the entire British force. A second engagement the same day against British reinforcements under Colonel Heinrich Breymann was also won by the Americans with the help of Seth Warner's Green Mountain Boys.

The Battle of Bennington was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. It severely weakened General John Burgoyne's army, contributing directly to the British defeat at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 — the pivotal event that brought France into the war as an American ally.

Bennington Battle Monument: The centerpiece of celebrations is the 306-foot limestone obelisk in Bennington, Vermont — the tallest structure in the state. The monument marks the site of the supply depot the British sought to capture. Visitors can take an elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views.

Historical Reenactments: Living history groups stage reenactments of the battle, complete with period uniforms, musket fire, and tactical demonstrations that bring the 1777 engagement to life.

Parades and Ceremonies: Communities across Vermont hold patriotic parades, wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials, and speeches honoring the legacy of General Stark and the militia.

Educational Programs: Schools and historical societies organize lectures, exhibits, and guided tours of battlefields and related historical sites, educating visitors about Vermont's Revolutionary War heritage.

Vermont Heritage Events: The holiday coincides with various community festivals celebrating Vermont culture, including craft fairs, local food events, and outdoor concerts in Bennington and surrounding towns.