Carolina Day and Beyond

 

A breeze blows a blue flag with a white crescent in the upper lefthand corner with blue skies in the background and a palmetto tree in the foreground.

Carodel Photography/ B. Marcum

What is Carolina Day?

Carolina Day is the annual commemoration of the Battle of Sullivan's Island that occurred on June 28, 1776. Fort Moultrie hosts Carolina Day events annually on the Saturday closest to June 28. During this weekend, the park hosts living historians, historic weapons demonstrations, ranger programs, and other activities.

Below is a listing of Carolina Day activities and America 250 commemorative events.

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Fight for Freedom: A Carolina Day Commemoration

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Saturday, June 28 is a fee-free day. Regular site fees resume on Sunday, June 29. This year marks the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island. Living historians in period clothing will portray both Patriot and British soldiers and civilians to help visitors understand and learn about life in 1776.

Event Schedule:

Flag Raising Program 10:00 a.m., inside Fort Moultrie

Join a ranger and living historians to help raise the Moultrie Flag. Learn about the importance of the Battle of Sullivan's Island, what the battle between the fort and the navy looked like and the history behind the flag itself.

Living Historian Talks 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m behind Fort Moultrie

10:30 a.m.: Learn more about the forming of the patriot force that defended Fort Moultrie, the 2nd South Carolina Regiment.
12:00 p.m.: Join the Royal Navy Bully Boys for an interactive history talk!

Living Historian Talks 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.minside Visitor Center Theater

1:00 p.m.: Join our living historians for a history talk about the South Carolina State Navy!
1:30 p.m.: Discover more about the British history here at Sullivan's Island with the 33rd Regiment of Foot.

Historic Weapons Demonstration 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m, 2:30 p.m, 3:00 p.m behind Fort Moultrie

Join living historians to learn about muskets, cannons and mortars. Experience what it would have been like when they were fired!
11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Musket Demonstrations
11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Artillery Demonstrations

Living Battle Demonstration 2:00 p.m., behind Fort Moultrie

Join rangers and living historians for a program showcasing Sergeant Jasper and his heroic actions as he rescues the Moultrie flag under gunshots and cannon fire!

Flag Lowering Program 4:30 p.m., inside Fort Moultrie

Join a ranger and living historians to help fold the Moultrie Flag. Learn about the importance of the Battle of Sullivan's Island, and how the fight for freedom continues to echo through time.

Guest Speaker 6:00 p.m., behind Fort Moultrie

Join us as we host historian and local author Norm Rickeman for a deep dive into the Battle of Sullivan's Island, and why he considers it "...the biggest upset victory in America's military history."

 

Living historians interact with visitors during Carolina Day events.

NPS Photo/N. Boyd

All Day Events 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

History Row and Interactive Children's Activities

Ranger stations provide interactive activities for visitors of all ages, including:

• learn how to build a palmetto log fort
• make a keepsake musket cartridge
• design a regimental flag
• play colonial games
• sift for artifacts with the park archaeologist.

Cricket Demonstration

Join a historian to learn (and play!) the most popular game in colonial America.

Indigo Dyeing Demonstration

Join a Park Ranger to experience the magical look of indigo dyeing, and learn about the enslaved labor used to get the dye from the plant. Did you know this is the same dye that we use in blue jeans today?

Book Signing

Meet local author Norm Rickeman, who wrote THE book on Colonel Moultrie and the victory at the Battle of Sullivan's Island. Books will be available for purchase.
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America 250

National Park Service Site Events

April 2025 Minute Man National Historical Park
June 2025 Boston National Historical Park (Battle of Bunker Hill)
November 2025 Ninety Six National Historic Site
February 2026 Moores Creek National Battlefield
Summer 2026 Independence National Historical Park
October 2027 Saratoga National Historical Park
December 2027- June 2028 Valley Forge National Historical Park
September-October 2030 Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
October 2030 Kings Mountain National Military Park
January 2031 Cowpens National Battlefield
March 2031 Guildford Courthouse National Military Park
May-June 2031 Ninety Six National Historic Site
October 2031 Colonial National Historical Park (Yorktown Battlefield)