Happy Independence Day … break out the flags and the fireworks!
At Ethan Allen, we’re feeling even more patriotic than usual, thanks to a new holiday recently enacted by the Governor of Vermont—Ethan Allen Day, which will be celebrated annually on June 23rd!
It was a proud moment for us when we heard about it, as we feel a deep connection with the Revolutionary War hero who was born in Litchfield, CT—less than 40 miles from our corporate headquarters. In his honor, we celebrated the occasion company-wide.
“His legacy inspires us,” said Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CEO of Ethan Allen. “And we as a company embody the same pioneering spirit that he showed during his lifetime.”
At our corporate headquarters in Danbury, Connecticut, the backyard patio came alive with the sounds of music, laughter, and the tempting sizzle of burgers and hotdogs on the grill. More than 200 employees came out to enjoy the summer day and play badminton, volleyball, and corn hole.
Our Design Centers got in on the fun, too! Locations from Quincy, Massachusetts, to Tustin, California, marked the day with refreshments (often with a side of American history!)—and, in some cases, extra discounts for shoppers.
Quick History Lesson
Born in 1738, Ethan Allen was a patriot who joined the Litchfield County militia, as a private, at the age of 19. In 1771, he organized the famed Green Mountain Boys and became colonel commandant of that group, which at the start of the Revolutionary War was the largest militia in the land. In May of 1775, he and 83 of his men captured Fort Ticonderoga, and the cannons acquired from that victory enabled George Washington and his men drive the British out of Boston. Later, Ethan Allen became deeply involved in efforts to gain Vermont statehood. He died in his homestead in Burlington, VT, in 1789.
Why June 23rd? It is the anniversary of the date in 1775 that the Continental Congress honored Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, and established the group as one of the first regiments of the Continental Army.
