city would not be burned to the ground if his troops were allowed to leave unmolested. After several days of activity, and several more of bad weather, the British forces departed Boston by sea on March 17 and sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, taking with them more than 1,000 Loyalist civilians. Legacy The fortifications on the Heights were maintained through the end of the war, and then abandoned. During the War of 1812, the Heights were refortified and occupied against potential British invasion. Following that war, the fortifications were completely abandoned, and, in the later years of the 19th century, the Dorchester hills were used as a source of fill for Boston's expanding coastline. In 1902, following revived interest in the local history, the Dorchester Heights Monument was constructed on the (remaining) high ground in what is now South Boston. The large Irish population in the area was also instrumental in having March 17 (which is also Saint Patrick's Day) named as the Evacuation Day holiday in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which includes the city of Boston. The Dorchester Heights National Historic Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, and in 1978 came under the administration of the National Park Service as part of Boston National Historical Park. Notes References 1776 in the United States Dorchester Heights, Fortification of Dorchester Heights Dorchester Heights 18th century in Boston 1776 in Massachusetts South Boston Dorchester