That’s a pretty bold and amazing claim, and it’s showing up on South Carolina’s new official license plates.
The SCDMV started issuing them January 1st, and soon you’ll be seeing them pop up on the backs of cars everywhere. The redesign is part of the celebration of a major milestone in our country.
America’s turning 250 years old this summer!
2026 is quite a year for our country, as she celebrates her 250th birthday on July 4, 2026 - officially known as the Semiquincentennial. That’s more of a mouthful than 1976’s Bicentennial, which was quite a celebration for those who were alive to experience it.
It’s a terrific time to book one of our Isle of Palms vacation rentals for this peak week of peak summer season, considering what a special birthday it will be.
Why spend it here? Well, it turns out your Isle of Palms vacation rental is quite close to one of the most pivotal battles in our nation’s history.
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island
In fact, historians even argue that the United States might never have become a country, had some brave local soldiers not triumphed in the Battle of Sullivan’s Island at what is now called Fort Moultrie, across Breach Inlet from the Isle of Palms. Breach Inlet itself actually ended up playing an important role in the colonists' victory.
It happened on June 28th, 1776 - several days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
It was a true David and Goliath situation. The upstart patriots were vastly outnumbered and totally outgunned, as they took on the mighty ships of the British Navy - the greatest military force in the world.
The figure on the license plate above is Sgt. William Jasper, fearlessly retrieving and raising the patriots’ flag after it had fallen to the ground, showing the fight was not over. His act rallied the troops, and through a series of extraordinary and miraculous happenings, they actually won.
It’s what we locals here in the Lowcountry celebrate every June 28th as Carolina Day, with special events and commemorations at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island and in downtown Charleston.
It’s been brought to life in a new film…
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island is an extraordinary story that altered the course of history. Had the British won on June 28th, they would have likely controlled all the southern colonies and removed them from fighting on “America’s” side. Think of all the battles that never would have happened. It’s unlikely the patriots would have triumphed in the long run. Wild.
Thankfully, this pivotal battle is finally getting the press it deserves.
The story is brought to life in a new short documentary produced by Wide Awake Films. They recently hosted a screening of the film to a packed house at Sullivan’s Island Town Hall, with experts and historians fielding questions about the incredible battle.
Good news - it’s available to watch free of charge. It’s very well done and about 13 minutes long.
The Battle of Charleston Film was produced in conjunction with the South Carolina American Revolution 250 Commission. You can watch it on the 250 Commission website, or on YouTube.
Two miracles
of many, which helped the young Carolina soldiers win The Battle of Sullivan's Island…
Palmetto trees.
Things were getting tense in the Colonies. Charleston was the most important port at the time, the wealthiest city, and a prime target of the British. So the Carolina soldiers began building a fort on Sullivan’s Island with what they had on hand - sand, and palmetto logs. It wasn’t a well thought-out plan, it was simply using whatever was available.
That ended up being a lifesaver - literally. The British ships lined up in the water and barraged the fort with cannon fire. Fortunately, palmetto logs have a natural flex to them, absorbing the impact of the cannon balls. Conversely, the hard oak boards of the British ships shattered when hit by the patriots’ cannon fire. So the fort held, and the ships ultimately sustained massive damage.
Bad intel about Breach Inlet.
Britain's Major General Lord Cornwallis actually landed on the Isle of Palms a couple weeks before the battle and planned to cross Breach Inlet by foot, to try to attack and capture the fort from the flank. His intel had told him the inlet was just 18” deep and could easily be walked across at low tide. Turns out it was actually 7 feet deep, much wider than it is now (extending roughly to where Front Beach is today). So instead, they had to scramble to try and cross over on small makeshift boats. His troops were quickly fired upon and turned back by South Carolina Rangers positioned on Sullivan’s. Without being attacked by land, the fort held.
Next time you’re here on the Isle of Palms, check out the historical marker at 120 Charleston Boulevard, on this revolutionary history.
Book an Isle of Palms beach house for this big week
Carolina Day and America’s 250th birthday are great times to stay in one of our Isle of Palms rentals, right near where history happened.
If you want to stay on the Breach Inlet side of the IOP that week, we currently have availability in these homes:
- Dolphin Manor at 512 Ocean Boulevard
- Seascapes at 714 Ocean Boulevard
- Casa Margarita at 904 Ocean Boulevard
- Casa Flamingo at 912 Ocean Boulevard
- Casa Banana at 914 Ocean Boulevard.
There’s also limited availability in other parts of the island, including a couple on Palm Boulevard. But be sure to contact us soon before they fill up, since it’s peak of the peak time.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger
photo credits: SCDMV and The Battle of Sullivan’s Island Film