Middle Tennessee State University will commemorate Evacuation Day on Tuesday, March 17. To celebrate, there will be a hands-on historic printing experience. Additionally, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence preamble will take place.
This event, hosted by the Honors College and the American Democracy Project, is part of MTSU’s ongoing programming. It leads up to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Evacuation Day marks the evacuation of approximately 9,000 British forces from Boston on March 17, 1776. This happened in response to the construction of American fortifications around the city, which put the British in an indefensible position.
Following almost a year of military battles in the area, including the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker/Breed’s Hill, the departure of the British forces led to a day of jubilation among Boston’s citizens. Moreover, the event was a crucial morale boost for the emerging United States.
The March 17 events include:
• Noon to 4 p.m. in Todd Art Gallery, Room 350: Students and anyone else who registers will have the rare opportunity to print their own keepsake copy of the Declaration’s preamble. This will be done using MTSU’s working replica of Benjamin Franklin’s 18th-century printing press. Space is limited, and registration is required.
A short promotional video demonstrating the Franklin press can be viewed here.
• 1 p.m. on the Honors College lawn: The community is invited to join a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and receive a freshly printed copy. Free pie and patriotic cookies will be available for attendees.
MTSU Semiquincentennial events are made possible by a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. To help MTSU meet the match, please consider donating $17.76 in honor of America’s founding: tbg.mtsu.edu/forms/usa250.
MTSU NEWS ARTICLE: mtsunews.com/evacuation-day-celebration-preview/