jmg@houxk.UUCP (11/19/83)
The following article appeared in a New York newspaper under the title "Move to commemorate day Brits left New York": New York State Assemblyman John Duane (D-Queens) has joined with the New York State chapter of the Sons of the Revolution in urging commemoration of Nov. 25 as "Evacuation Day". On that date in 1783 - 200 years ago - the British armed forces evacuated the City of New York following the Treaty of Paris which ended the American Revolution. The city had been occupied by the British since 1777. The Sons of the Revolution plan to mark the occasion with a parade and public ceremonies at Castle Clinton in Battery Park in Manhattan on Saturday, Nov. 26. "As an American I can think of no worthier anniversary than that of the British evacuation of our city" said Duane who will sponsor a resolution in the State Assembly to commemorate the event. "For years in the early 1800's Evacuation Day was a festive patriotic occasion in New York City very nearly equalling in pageantry the Fourth of July. It is altogether fitting that we celebrate the bicentennial of that happy day when British colonial rule over our city came to an end." Duane added. In a previous article I printed the usually unsung verses of the Star-Spangled Banner. In connection with that research I came across some other interesting facts. The battle which the song refers to, of course, took place at Fort McHenry which is named after James McHenry who was appointed the first American Secretary of War by George Washington in 1796. Earlier he had served as a battlefield medic in the Revolutionary War and was a prisoner of war for two years. He served as a secretary to General Washington and to General Lafayette. He was a member of the Continental Congress and a delegate to the convention that framed the federal Constitution in 1787. He was born in county Antrim, Ireland in 1753 and today his birthplace still suffers under British occupation. Trivia Question: The British Royal Governor of New York at the time of the American Revolution was a transvestite and frequently appeared at public events in drag (women's clothes). What is his name? Please note: vague answers such as "the Queen of New York" or "the Royal Governess of New York" will not be accepted.