Bennington Battle Monument Sunrise | 12.16.2023
A fiery morning sky over the Bennington Battle Monument in Bennington, Vermont.
The monument stands at 306 feet tall and is made of blue-gray dolomite marble quarried locally. The cornerstone was laid on August 16, 1887, marking the 110th anniversary of the battle of Bennington. The monument's design draws inspiration from classical architecture, with a distinctive Victorian aesthetic. It was completed in 1889 and officially dedicated on August 19, 1891.
The Battle of Bennington took place on August 16, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War. It was a significant engagement between American forces, primarily composed of New Hampshire and Vermont militia, and British and German (Hessian) troops under General John Burgoyne.
The Battle of Bennington is often considered a turning point in the war. American forces, led by General John Stark, decisively defeated the British and Hessian troops commanded by Colonel Friedrich Baum. The American victory at Bennington boosted morale, attracted more recruits to the Continental Army, and hindered Burgoyne's advance. It played a role in the larger campaign leading to Burgoyne's eventual surrender at Saratoga in October 1777.
