Victory Day Photo Gallery, Charleston SC
Experience the Winning of the Revolutionary War In the City where it happened!
This year's commemoration of Revolutionary War Victory Day is set for Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Charleston's (Francis) Marion Square. Don't miss this Patriotic, family-friendly event which marks Charleston's launch of America's 250th Anniversary commemoration period, 2025-2033.
Plan now to attend this historic event at the place where it happened!
This year's Victory Day (British named "Charlestown Evacuation Day") is the first of a series of many upcoming events, exhibits, dedications, memorials, Patriot recognitions, and commemorations through 2033 that will showcase Charleston's starring role in the War for American Independence, From First Protests to Final Victory.
Pre-event entertainment commences at noon with the Colonial Carolers singing authentic period Christmas Season music. The 1pm parade will be led by the historic Washington Light Infantry (WLI) and feature the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, the 33rd Regiment of Foot, and the Kingsbury Artillery. The short parade will be followed by a field presentation by General William Moultrie.
The speaking part of the program will feature the Commander of the WLI, Colonel Dale Theiling, Major General William Grimsley (USA retired) Chair of the SC250 Commission, State DAR Regent Alice Caskey, Ben Zeigler, renown RevWar historian, and Executive Director Rick Wise of the SC Battleground Trust.
There will be a Laying of the Wreath ceremony to honor the estimated 7,500 South Carolina and Continental Army Patriots who fell fighting for the precious sovereign Independence we enjoy today. Speakers and reenactors will be available to the public following the program. There will be seating for approximately 100. Tricorn hats and period clothing are welcome and encouraged.
Regimental Flags including the 2nd SC, the 3rd Calvary "Eutaw Flag" and the Pulaski Flag are scheduled to be on display. We have also been informed that the Hornwork Augmented Reality Viewer (HARV) will be operational and available to the public for viewing the Revolutionary War Hornwork Fortification as it guarded the entranceway into Charlestown during the 31-month British occupation. Visitors will be able to time-travel back to see living history.
The program concludes about 3pm with a display of muskets and cannon.
We look forward to seeing many Patriots from near and far on Sunday, December 15 at Charleston's America 250th Anniversary Period grand kick-off. Join us for a historic afternoon of honoring America's heroes and celebrating our brave beginning!
***Witness and learn about the British surrender of Charlestown, the lynchpin for Parliament to grant the 13 American colonies their collective, sovereign independence, 14-months after Yorktown.
***Governor Henry McMaster described Revolutionary War Victory Day in Charleston as "… a day of remembering our fallen heroes, reflecting on what it means to be an American, and renewing the spirit of Patriotism that helps strengthen our beloved country"!
***Previous Victory Day distinguished speakers include Dr. Vernon Burton (Judge Perry Jr. Distinguished Chair of History and Global Black Studies, Clemson University), Dr. Mary Stockwell (Chair Emeritus of Lourdes University History Department), Dr. Nic Butler (Charleston's Historian), Katherine Pemberton (Powder Magazine Director), Stuart Bennett (Revolutionary Novelist), and John Slaughter (RevWar NPS Regional Superintendent), Major General Henry Siegling, Dr. Woody Holton (USC Professor of History and distinguished award-winning RevWar author), Jeff Neale (Curator & Historian Middleton Place), Ms. Katie Hyman (Regent, Rebecca Motte DAR), Dr. Holton Siegling (First Scots Presbyterian), and Mr. Gray Bobo (President- Children of the AR, and many others.
***Victory Day is an essential component of the national America 250th Anniversary remembrances of people, places, and events that resulted in America's independence. As the esteemed Governor Henry McMaster commented: "Today's [Victory Day] event, a reenactment of the British withdrawal and installation of the Betsy Ross and Liberty flags marking the birth of the United States, is a source of pride and patriotism for all Americans".
***The United States Congress has designated Charleston as one of the four America 250 showcase cities during the official anniversary period: 2025-2033.
Come join us in 2024 for a spectacular Revolutionary War Victory Day Commemoration and Celebration on Sunday, December 15 at Marion (Swamp Fox) Square!
Victory Day 2024 is dedicated to the great Patriot who brought back the observance of Charleston's Revolutionary War Victory Day commemoration and celebration:
Major General Henry Siegling.
Historical Background of Victory Day
On December 13, 1782, the besieged British garrison on the Charlestown peninsula requested a cease-fire to march out of Charlestown, unmolested, to their awaiting fleets in the harbor the next day. Their forced evacuation involved more people than those surrendering at Yorktown and was covered by a British armada exceeding ten heavy warships and 140 armed evacuation ships. After 31 months of occupation, the last British Army, south of New York City and north of Saint Augustine, Florida, was escorted to their evacuation ships by General Anthony Wayne's Continental Regiment of light dragoons.
Later in the day, the Southern Continental Army and elected government officials paraded into the city, formally reclaiming South Carolina and the Lower South for the United States. Continental General Nathanael Greene, William Moultrie, and Governor Matthews led the liberation parade. At the conclusion, the duly elected state government, confederated with the United States, was formally installed near Broad and State Streets. After 14 months under siege on the Charlestown peninsula, attrited British occupation forces surrendered their Southern Army Headquarters and left America to their self-rule. A cataclysmic battle and the destruction of Charleston were narrowly avoided. The British withdrawal from Charlestown (British named "Evacuation Day") marked the end of British hostilities in America and the end of the War for American Independence.
Less than two months later, on February 3, 1783, after learning of the final withdrawal of British Forces in the Southern American States, King George III appeared before the British Parliament and agreed to recognize the political Independence of all 13 states of the "United States". After much heated debate, Parliament narrowly approved the peace resolution put before it by a slim 16 votes (9 vote margin). The resolution included granting the United States sovereign independence in exchange for peace with France, Spain, and the Netherlands, while also receiving favorable trade rights. King George shortly thereafter sent a letter to the Continental Congress declaring an end to British hostilities against America that formalized the cease-fire agreement reached in Charlestown between opposing Generals on December 13, 1782.
Victory Day marks the end and the winning of the Revolutionary War. Just as Boston commemorates the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the forced evacuation of British Troops from Boston in 1776 with their annual Patriots' Day marathon and events, Revolutionary Charleston envisions Revolutionary War Victory Day becoming the annual national celebration of the War's successful conclusion. On December 14, 1782, American Independence from Great Britain militarily became an uncontested reality. All regular British occupation forces south of New York City had been driven out of America. The world was turned right side up!
For detailed information about Charleston's and South Carolina's role in the War for American Independence, read "Victory Day - Winning American Independence, The Defeat of the British Southern Strategy" to conquer America available at The Old Exchange, Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston's Visitors Center, fine bookstores, and Amazon Books on line.
2023 Revolutionary War Victory Day
- Mark your calendars for the most exhilarating Revolutionary War commemoration you have experienced: Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Charleston's Historic Marion Square!
Sponsors, partners and volunteers welcome.
(Professional photography courtesy of Jack Franklin, No part of this website text or photographs may be reproduced without written consent. Many thanks to Mrs. Elizabeth Tarbet and www.SouthernCampaign1780.org for professional website development.)