Georgetown holds second annual Carolina Day celebration

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCBD)—On Friday, residents in Georgetown celebrated Carolina Day.

Marking nearly 250 years since American troops defeated British soldiers in the battle of Sullivan’s Island. Community members gathered at Francis Marion Park to celebrate Georgetown’s second annual Carolina Day.

“Carolina Day started June 28, 1776, on Sullivans Island outside Charleston, and it was a victory for the patriots over the British. The British had one of the largest Navy in the world at that time, and the patriots won,” said Paige Sawyer, the committee chairman of Francis Marion Center.

That battle gave the palmetto tree an important place in South Carolina history. American troops used the spongey trunks of the trees to protect their ships from enemy cannon fire. The patriots held off nine British Royal Navy ships looking to invade Charleston.

“British fleet attempted to storm its way into what was known as Charlestown. They ran successfully to repel the fleet and landing force that was coming on the backside of the island, and with that defeat, the British fleet sailed off,” said Justin McIntyre, the curator and historian for South Carolina Martine Museum.

Leaders said Carolina Day helped pave the way for the world we live in today, and it is essential to honor and pay respects to the soldiers who fought for the United States’ freedom.

“There is a lengthy history in our country of 250 years that is something to celebrate a lot of a lot of countries don’t last that long, a lot of democracies a lot of a lot of governments don’t last that long. We have our ups and downs in this country, but right at the end of the day, we’re able to come together and celebrate the fact that we’ve gone this far,” said Kenneth Baeszler, the chairman of Georgetown County 250 Committee.

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