Why November 25 was once a major American holiday

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before Thanksgiving dominated the calendar, Americans celebrated Evacuation Day. This video explores the origins of this forgotten holiday and the role of a young sergeant in the events of 1783.

The video examines the history of Evacuation Day, a holiday observed in the United States for over a century. It highlights the significance of November 25, 1783, a date when the nation had much to celebrate following the Revolutionary War. Central to this period was the contribution of John Van Arsdale, a young sergeant whose role in these events remains largely overlooked by modern history.

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