President s it established and the legacies that left. There is a strong case to be made that november 11, the day that a battered square rigor called the mayflower made safe harbor in a place near what is today in massachusetts. That day should be one of the greatest moments in our national theory, comparable to fourth of july, independence day, and september 17, constitution day. But let me qualify that statement a little bit. As ourk of the pilgrims forebears and we are right to do so but it is important to remember they and the other new puritans that were selling new england at the time did not imagine they were settling establishing the United States of america. Nothing could have been further from their minds. They were doing something entirely different. They were about the business of establishing a place where they could enjoy a pure and uncorrupted church. The early settlers of virginia were motivated by material considerations they wanted, what the spaniards wanted from the
We think of the pilgrims as our forbearers and we have a right to do so but it is important to remember they and the other new englanders settling at the time did not imagine they were settling United States of america. Nothing could have been further from their minds. They were doing something entirely different. They were about the business of establishing a place where they could enjoy a pure and uncorrupted church. The settlers of virginia were motivated by material considerations, gold, wealth, material wealth. The settlers of new england were driven by religious zeal. Most of them were puritans, men and women of a company spent who believed the church of england had not gone far enough to purge itself of its corrupt aspects and would despair of a cleansing renewal ever coming in their lifetimes, and hence their decision to emigrate to the new beginning. In particular were not only calvinists but separatists, meaning they had separated themselves from the aurch of england as they
Coxe, senator, and all of our distinguished guest, welcome. I have a great honor to serve as chief executive officer for preservation virginia. Deskhalf of president ial preservation virginia board of trustees, i share our appreciation for friends and partners gathered today and Technology Leadership of the administration, the General Assembly, american revolution, and the James Northam foundation. As special appreciation to our partners in the National Park service, the representatives, and members of the family society. Today, we commemorate the events that occurred on the site 47 years ago the distinguished speakers who follow me will capture the importance of these proceedings and the direct influence still felt today. Hope it will define this place with the persistent efforts of women who ensured its preservation. Within these walls would have been lost were not for the vision and dedication of women. 1889, they founded the association for the preservation of virginia antiquity. T
[bells clanging] [bells clanging] good morning. I am kirk cox, speaker of the Virginia House of delegates. Im delighted to welcome everyone here at jamestown settlement in the recreated church in james fort. And those viewing these proceedings online or watching from beyond to the 400 that anniversary today. Of the first and oldest continuous representative legislation body in the western hemisphere. As our forefathers did on this very day 400 years ago assembled here at the birthplace of american democracy, jamestown. Freedom in the form of Representative Democracy began here in virginia. The unforgettable and inspiring event that happened here, what began here, has changed not only virginia, and not only america, but much of the entire world. Special occasions and commemorations like this offer us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the history of 1619. As a retired schoolteacher, i taught government for 30 years. I know the year 1619 was pivotal. As well as complicated. Events th
[indistinct shouting] [bells clanging] good morning. Good morning. I am kirk cox, speaker of the Virginia House of delegates. Im delighted to welcome everyone here at jamestown settlement in the recreated church in james fort. And, those viewing these proceedings online or watching from beyond to the 400 anniversary today of the first and oldest continuous representative legislation body in the western hemisphere. As our forefathers did on this very day 400 years ago, we assemble here at the birthplace of american democracy, jamestown. Freedom in the form of Representative Democracy began here in virginia. The unforgettable and inspiring event that happened here, what began here, has changed not only virginia, and not only america, but much of the entire world. Special occasions and commemorations like this offer us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the history of 1619. As a retired schoolteacher, i taught government for 30 years. I know the year 1619 was pivotal, as well as compl