Bennington Battle Day and The Battle of Bennington

Vermont's unique holiday on August 16th is in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington. Here Brigadier General John Stark and his American forces including Colonel Seth Warner and the Green Mountain Boys defeated two detachments of the British General John Burgoyne's invading army in 1777. Due in large part to lack of supplies Burgoyne on October 7, 1777 surrendered his entire command of troops following the Battle of Saratoga, a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. A group wishing to commemorate the Battle of Bennington decided a monument should be erected at the storage site of the military supplies which had been the objective of the Battle. You see that monument today in the Village of Old Bennington.

Bennington Battle Day is celebrated by Benningtonians and visitors alike each August. This year commemorates the 40th year that the Bennington Fire Department will hold its annual Bennington Battle Day parade which will be held on August 17th, 2008 at 12:30pm in downtown Bennington. Battle Re-enactments are presented by the Living History Association. Area Museums and organizations hold special events to celebrate this special time in Bennington's history. Please link below for a complete schedule of activities or call the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce for further details. Phone 1-800-229-0252 or 1-802-447-3311.