Celebrate our nation’s birthday
Join us in historic Vincennes for an unforgettable year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary! As Indiana’s premier Revolutionary War site, we’re pulling out all the stops with monthly guest speakers, thrilling reenactments, delicious period-inspired food, and plenty of surprises along the way. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for fun with the family, there’s something for everyone as we bring the past to life and honor the spirit of 1776 all year long. Come relive the Revolution—only in Vincennes! Vincennes Revolutionary War History
Connect with our Revolutionary War History
The Battle of Fort Sackville, fought in February 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, was a pivotal victory for the American forces. Led by Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, a small group of frontiersmen and militia marched through harsh winter conditions to surprise the British-held fort in Vincennes, Indiana. Using clever tactics, including deception to exaggerate the size of his force, Clark convinced British Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton to surrender without a prolonged fight. The capture of Fort Sackville secured the Northwest Territory for the Americans and boosted morale, making it one of the most important frontier victories of the war.
2026 Calendar of Events
All 2026 events are tentatively scheduled, and may change in theme closer to the date, however we will update this website as events get closer!
- June 5, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- June 5, 6-7 pm – History Tour, Theme – History of Vincennes. Downtown
- June 5, 9 pm – Outdoor Movie, Shrek, Patrick Henry Square
- June 6, Noon – Wabash Valley Palooza, Kimmel Park.
- June 7 – Knox County Triathlon, Duathlon & Super Triathlon, Gregg Park
- June 13, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series – Laughing with Lincoln. Lincoln impersonator Rod Stone. Red Skelton Museum
- June 17 – Vincennes’ Birthday
- June 26, 5 pm – Summer on Main 250th celebration events, Hamilton Sing Along, live music, food trucks, car show in collaboration with DVA, Downtown
- July 3-31, 5-8 pm – Spirit of America Art Show showcasing art of the theme. Northwest Territory Art Gallery, 316 Main
- July 3, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk, Downtown
- July 3, 6-7 pm – History Tour, Theme – Historical Markers, Downtown
- July 4 Independence Day Parade, Downtown with FIREWORKS!
- July 5, 2 pm – Oath of Allegiance Project Dedication. A dedication of the monument to the signers of the Oath of Allegiance. Old Cathedral
- July 8, 6 pm – NATIONAL reading of the Declaration of Independence. Location TBD.
- July 11 at 2 p.m. Second Saturday Speaker Series “Revolution and Beyond” at Vincennes State Historic Sites
- July 11, 4-10 pm – Wheatland Lions Celebrate America’s 250th, Lions Niblack Park, Wheatland IN.
- July 18 & 19, 10 am to 5 pm – Vietnam Veterans Appreciation. his event honors and remembers Vietnam Veterans, welcoming them home when most did not receive the hero’s welcome they deserved. The weekend will include reenactments, guest speakers, music, vehicle & equipment displays. Military and food vendors available. Indiana Military Museum.
- Aug. 7, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Aug. 7, 7-8 pm – History Tour, Historical Markers by Vincennes State Historic Sites. Downtown.
- Aug. 7, 8:30 pm – Outdoor Movie, Downtown.
- Aug. 8 at 2 p.m. – Second Saturday Speaker Series “Institutions”
- Sept. 4, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk, Downtown.
- Sept. 4, 6-7 pm – History Walk. Downtown.
- Sept. 5 & 6, 10 am – 5 pm – Salute to WWII Veterans. Watch history come alive! We will have battle reenactments, military vendors, food & other activities to honor our veterans. Indiana Military Museum.
- Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. Speaker Series – History of 6 Flags Over Vincennes. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
- Sept. 24-25-26, all day – First City Music Festival, French Commons
- Oct. 2, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Oct. 2, 6-7 pm – History Tour. Downtown
- Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Second Saturday Speaker Series “Crime and Punishment”
- Nov. 6, 5-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown
- Nov. 6, time TBD, History Tour
- Nov. 14, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series: Tecumseh – Panther Across the Sky. Vincennes State Historic Sites
- Dec. 4 Christmas Parade, Downtown.
- Dec. 4, 6-8 pm – First Friday Art Walk. Downtown.
- Dec. 4, 6:30 – 9:30 pm – Candlelight Tours. Grouseland and Vincennes State Historic Sites
- Dec. 4-5 Christkindlmarkt in Downtown Vincennes
- Dec. 13, 2-3 pm – Speaker Series: Christmas Customs. Eddie Price will provide “Christmas Customs” for the 2nd Saturday Speaker Series. Eddie’s books will be available for purchase, and he has a new one that will be out by that time. He will have a PowerPoint presentation and he is quite the showman. He spoke at a VH&A Society Christmas dinner a couple of years ago, and he also participates with the Vincennes Rendezvous.
Oath of Allegiance
On Sunday, July 20th, 1778, the people of Vincennes gathered after Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church. Dr. Jean Baptiste Laffont and Father Pierre Gibault, newly-arived from Kashakia, read a message from Col. George Rogers Clark asking for their support of the American Cause. That day 186 French citizens swore an Oath of Allegiance on the Gospels, kissed a crucifix and signed a copy of the oath. With this document Vincennes declared its independence from Britain and allegiance to the American Revolution.
As part of the 250th celebration, Vincennes will dedicate a monument to the patriots that signed the oath.
Sign Your Oath!
As part of the 250th push, we’re collecting signatures of those still dedicated to democracy and the call to freedom! Sign below to give permission for us to use your signature in promotional materials celebrating the 250th anniversary! If you provide your email, we’ll send you updates about events as the planning unfolds!
