2024 African Landing Day Commemoration events throughout Hampton
August 14 2024 - 4:15AM
On a hot summer day in August 1619, a moment of profound
consequence unfolded on the shores of what’s now Hampton, Virginia.
It was here that the first Africans from present day Angola arrived
in English North America, marking the beginning of a harrowing
chapter in history. On August 23-25 commemoration events will be
held to honor the first Africans brought here in 1619 and to
highlight their legacy of culture, identity, resistance and
triumph.
On August 24 from 10 a.m. - 4 pm join the Fort Monroe Authority,
National Park Service, Project 1619, Inc. and the City of Hampton
for the 2024 African Landing Day Commemoration and Soil Blending
Ceremony held at Fort Monroe. The Soil Blending Ceremony, will mark
the site of the African Landing Memorial, which is slated to be
completed in 2026. Soil from Angola will be blended with soil from
Fort Monroe and other Virginia sites. This ceremony will
include cultural honors and recognitions plus youth activities, a
Parade of Nations, a Flower Petal Ceremony, a drum call and a bell
ringing ceremony. There will be special guests performances by
Sheila Arnold, storyteller; Leah Glenn Dance Theatre; KAM Kelly
& The DAY Program and Tidewater African Cultural
Alliance.
African Landing Day Commemoration Events Schedule:
The William Tucker 1624 Society’s Annual African Landing
EventFriday, August 23, 2024, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Hampton
Roads Convention CenterThe William Tucker 1624 Society is honored
to have Filipe Silvino de Pina Zau, Angola’s Minister of Culture as
the keynote speaker for this event and the attendance of a large
delegation of Angolans to accompany the Minister. The theme this
year is “We Are Better Together.” This year’s program demonstrates
bridging the gaps of 405 years of history between the continents.
Ric Murphy, author of “Arrival of the First Africans,” will be the
master of ceremony. In addition, this year there will be an art
exhibit presentation from Angola by the Embassy of the Republic of
Angola to the United States.
2024 African Landing Day Commemoration and Soil Blending
EventSaturday, August 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Fort Monroe Come
together this weekend to recognize the landing of the first
enslaved Africans on our shores at Point Comfort–a point in our
country’s history that had, and continues to have, a profound
impact on this country and its people. This ceremony will include
cultural honors and recognitions plus youth activities, a Parade of
Nations, a Flower Petal Ceremony, a drum call and a bell ringing
ceremony. There will be special guest performances by Sheila
Arnold, storyteller; Leah Glenn Dance Theatre; KAM Kelly & The
DAY Program and Tidewater African Cultural Alliance. There will be
special remarks from Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck, the Tucker Family,
Senator Maime Locke and others.
Experience the essence of our heritage and history through a
Soil Blending Ceremony - honoring the contributions of Native
American, European, and African cultures. Through their
convergence, we hope to reflect the depth and richness of
each of these cultural traditions and how they shaped
America.
Healing DaySunday, August 26, 6-8 a.m.Outlook Beach, Fort
MonroeJoin the Fort Monroe Authority, National Park Service,
Project 1619, and the City of Hampton for a Day of Healing at Fort
Monroe’s Outlook Beach. This ceremony provides attendees with a
unique opportunity for healing and cleansing of the soul. Attendees
are encouraged to wear all white.
###Photo LibraryPhotos courtesy of Fort Monroe
Authority (flyer), Hampton Conveniton & Visitor BureauPartially
bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton,
with the344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center and the
award-winning HamptonColiseum, is located in the center of Coastal
Virginia and the Hampton Roads metropolitanarea. Hampton is the
site of America's first continuous English-speaking settlement, the
siteof the first arrival of Africans in English North America, and
is home to such visitorattractions as the Virginia Air & Space
Science Center, Fort Monroe National Monument,Hampton History
Museum, Hampton University Museum, The American Theatre,
amongothers
- African Landing Day Commemoration to include soil blending
ceremony
Mahogany Waldon
Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau
mahogany.waldon@hamptoncvb.com