Bennington Battle Day
August 16
About Bennington Battle Day
Bennington Battle Day is a legal public holiday observed only in the US state of Vermont, falling each year on 16 August. In 2026 it lands on Sunday, 16 August. The day commemorates the American victory at the Battle of Bennington on 16 August 1777, a decisive engagement of the Revolutionary War that helped turn the tide against the British. State offices and many local services close, and historic sites across Vermont open their doors to mark the occasion.
The Story Behind Bennington Battle Day
By the summer of 1777, the British general John Burgoyne was driving south from Canada in a campaign meant to split the rebellious American colonies in two. His army was large but increasingly short of horses, draft animals and provisions. Hearing of a Patriot supply depot at Bennington, in what was then the self-declared independent Vermont Republic, Burgoyne dispatched a detachment of around 700 men under the German officer Lieutenant-Colonel Friedrich Baum to seize it.
Standing in his way was Brigadier General John Stark of New Hampshire. After the colony authorised him on 18 July to raise a militia, Stark gathered roughly 1,500 New Hampshire men in just six days, more than a tenth of the colony’s male population over the age of sixteen. He was reinforced by Colonel Seth Warner and members of the Green Mountain Boys, the Vermont militia who had already made their name in the early years of the war. On 16 August 1777, on the John Green farm at Walloomsac, New York, about ten miles from Bennington itself, Stark’s men surrounded and overwhelmed Baum’s position. Baum was killed, and many of his troops were taken prisoner.
The fighting was not over. As the Americans were securing their victory, German reinforcements under Lieutenant-Colonel Heinrich von Breymann arrived on the field. Stark and Warner rallied their men and drove the newcomers back with heavy casualties. By the end of the day, Burgoyne’s army had lost almost 1,000 men. The defeat deprived him of the supplies he badly needed, prompted many of his Native American allies to abandon the campaign, and helped set the stage for his surrender at Saratoga that autumn. Historians regard the battle as one of the turning points of the Revolutionary War, and it played a part in persuading France to enter the conflict on the American side.
More than a century later, in 1894, the Vermont General Assembly passed an act establishing 16 August as a legal holiday across the state, ensuring that the sacrifice and success of 1777 would be remembered each year. The towering Bennington Battle Monument, a stone obelisk standing more than 300 feet tall, was dedicated in 1891 and remains the centre of commemoration to this day.
When and Where is Bennington Battle Day Celebrated?
Bennington Battle Day is always observed on 16 August, regardless of the day of the week. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, 16 August. It is unique to Vermont, where it is a recognised state holiday: government offices, courts and many public services close, and where the date falls on a weekend the observance is often marked on the nearest working day. The heart of the commemoration is the town of Bennington in the state’s south-west corner, though Vermonters across the state take part through historic site visits, ceremonies and community events.
Traditions and Customs
The day blends civic remembrance with community celebration. Common observances include the following.
- Free admission to state historic sites – Vermont’s state-owned historic sites traditionally open to the public free of charge on Bennington Battle Day, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the state’s revolutionary heritage.
- Visiting the Bennington Battle Monument – The 306-foot obelisk overlooking the town is the focal point of the day, with visitors riding the lift to the observation level for views across three states.
- Battle re-enactments – Local history groups stage re-enactments and living-history demonstrations that bring the events of 1777 to life for new generations.
- Wreath-laying and ceremonies – Civic and patriotic organisations hold ceremonies honouring those who fought, often with readings, music and the laying of wreaths.
- Community gatherings – Parades, fairs and family events give the holiday a festive character alongside its solemn historical roots.
Ways to Celebrate Bennington Battle Day
Whether you live in Vermont or simply have an interest in early American history, there are plenty of ways to mark the day.
- Tour a historic site – Take advantage of free admission to visit the Bennington Battle Monument or another of Vermont’s state historic sites and learn the story first-hand.
- Read about the battle – Spend time with an account of the Saratoga campaign to understand how a relatively small engagement near Bennington shaped the wider war.
- Attend a re-enactment – Watch costumed re-enactors recreate the tactics, uniforms and weaponry of 1777 for a vivid sense of the period.
- Explore the driving tour – Follow the Battle of Bennington driving route, which links the key sites associated with the engagement across the Vermont and New York countryside.
- Honour the militia – Reflect on the role of citizen-soldiers such as John Stark, Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys, ordinary people who answered the call to defend their communities.
- Share the history – Tell friends and family why 16 August matters to Vermont and to the founding of the United States, keeping the memory of the day alive.
If you enjoy days that commemorate pivotal moments in a nation’s past, you might also like Independence Day, another date that celebrates the birth of the United States.
Facts and Figures
- The Battle of Bennington was fought on 16 August 1777, but actually took place at Walloomsac, New York, roughly ten miles from Bennington, Vermont.
- General John Stark raised around 1,500 New Hampshire militiamen in just six days, more than 10 per cent of the colony’s male population aged over sixteen.
- The American victory cost Burgoyne’s army almost 1,000 men and contributed directly to his surrender at Saratoga later in 1777.
- Vermont established Bennington Battle Day as a legal holiday by an act of the General Assembly in 1894.
- The Bennington Battle Monument, dedicated in 1891, stands 306 feet tall and was once the tallest structure in Vermont.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bennington Battle Day?
Bennington Battle Day is a Vermont state holiday commemorating the American victory at the Battle of Bennington on 16 August 1777. It honours the militiamen led by General John Stark and the Green Mountain Boys who helped turn the course of the Revolutionary War.
When is Bennington Battle Day in 2026?
Bennington Battle Day falls on Sunday, 16 August 2026. The date is fixed and observed on the same day every year.
Is Bennington Battle Day a public holiday?
Yes, but only in Vermont. It is a recognised state legal holiday, established in 1894, on which government offices, courts and many public services close. It is not observed as a holiday in other US states.
Spread the Word
Share Bennington Battle Day with your community using #BenningtonBattleDay and #BenningtonBattleDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion with a visit to a historic site or a quiet moment of remembrance, every bit of awareness helps keep this tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Independence Day – The United States’ national day marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
- Patriot Day – A US day of remembrance honouring those affected by historic events of national significance.
- Flag Day – A US observance celebrating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes.
Links
- Visit the Vermont State Historic Sites page for the Bennington Battle Monument
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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