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In 2007, the Commonwealth of Virginia in America will
celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of
Jamestown.
Jamestown was the first English-speaking settlement of its kind
in America. It preceded the Pilgrim Fathers by 13 years.
Kent's links with Virginia date back four hundred years ago, to
the foundation of the Jamestown settlement. Three ships left from
Blackwall and set sail for America in December 1606 with the 105
men who went on to found Jamestown in May 1607, calling at
Gravesend on the way. Two of the settlers, Edward Pising and Thomas
Wotton, were from Kent.
Events will be held throughout the year in Virginia to
commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown,
including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in July 2007.
Businesses and individuals from Kent are invited to take part in
the major US cultural festival, which is held in Washington. The
10-day event, which attracts more than a million visitors, will
offer businesses and tourism concerns a superb opportunity to build
on historic connections as well as highlighting Kent's culture and
customs.
The Jamestown 2007 British Committee will co-ordinate UK
involvement in the 400th anniversary
commemorations. |