Jamestown Day

Jamestown Day

May 13

Jamestown, Virginia, is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. A group of 104 settlers sponsored by the London Company (sometimes called the Virginia Company) disembarked about 50 miles from the mouth of the James River on May 13, 1607, and spent a difficult few years fighting famine and disease. Eventually they initiated the tobacco trade that allowed Virginia to become economically self-sufficient. Jamestown also established the first representative government on the continent, brought the first African slaves to the colonies, and built America's first Anglican (Episcopal) church.
On the Sunday nearest May 13, which is officially known as Jamestown Day, a commemorative service is held at the historic site of the original settlement. There are speeches, readings, and choral selections; addresses by British and American officials; and a procession to the Memorial Cross, which marks the town's earliest cemetery, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony.
Organizers are planning special events for the 400th anniversary in 2007.

CONTACTS:
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
P.O. Box 1607
Williamsburg, VA 23187
888-593-4682 or 757-253-4838; fax: 757-253-5299
www.historyisfun.org
Colonial National Historic Park
National Park Service
P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
757-898-2410; fax: 757-898-6346
www.nps.gov
Virtual Jamestown
University of Virginia
Virginia Center for Digital History
Charlottesville, VA 22904
www.virtualjamestown.org

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 361
AnnivHol-2000, p. 82
(c)

Celebration day: May 13