Bennington Battle Day
Encyclopedia
Bennington Battle Day is a state holiday
unique to Vermont
which commemorates the American victory at the Battle of Bennington
(which actually took place in New York
) during the American Revolutionary War
in 1777. The holiday's date is fixed, and occurs on August 16 every year.
In Bennington, there is a battle re-enactment put on by the local history foundation. Also, the town fires the oldest cannon
in America, which is called the Molly Stark cannon, named after the commander John Stark
's wife.
The Battle of Bennington is named as such, because the battle was over weapons and munitions stored where the Bennington Battle monument now stands. This site is located in, what is now referred to as, Old Bennington, Vermont
.
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
unique to Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
which commemorates the American victory at the Battle of Bennington
Battle of Bennington
The Battle of Bennington was a battle of the American Revolutionary War that took place on August 16, 1777, in Walloomsac, New York, about from its namesake Bennington, Vermont...
(which actually took place in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
in 1777. The holiday's date is fixed, and occurs on August 16 every year.
In Bennington, there is a battle re-enactment put on by the local history foundation. Also, the town fires the oldest cannon
Cannon
A cannon is any piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other usually explosive-based propellents to launch a projectile. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire, angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and balance these attributes in varying degrees,...
in America, which is called the Molly Stark cannon, named after the commander John Stark
John Stark
John Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
's wife.
The Battle of Bennington is named as such, because the battle was over weapons and munitions stored where the Bennington Battle monument now stands. This site is located in, what is now referred to as, Old Bennington, Vermont
Old Bennington, Vermont
Old Bennington is a village in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. It is located entirely within the town of Bennington. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 232....
.