Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida July 13 2011 |
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Special Report
Federal commission here July 18
The St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission will hold its inaugural meeting here Monday, July 18, opening its first session at 10 a.m. in the Flagler College auditorium on Granad a Street.
The meeting will be broadcast live on Flagler College Radio, WFCF-88.5, beginning at 9:45 a.m.
Among those attending, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who appointed the thirteen-member panel, Florida Senator Bill Nelson, and Congressman John Mica.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for the community-at-large, including those who reside or have businesses outside the city limits, to witness this important first step in this important group's responsibilities," city officials said. | |
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Microcosm
of America
"The story of St. Augustine is a microcosm of the story of America itself, with a tapestry weaved by Native Americans, Europeans and Africans as the city developed, changed hands in times of conflict, struggled with issues of justice and equality and eventually flourished.
"The members of the com-mission will ensure that the anniversary will be an opportunity to expand the understanding and apprecia-tion of the significance of the founding and continuing his-tory of the city."
Jon Jarvis, Director
National Park Service |
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Commission to ensure
'a suitable national observance' of 450th | |
Congress established the Commission as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 and charged it with ensuring a suitable national observance of St. Augustine's 450th anniversary by complementing the programs and activities of the State of Florida and the City of St. Augustine.
Secretary Salazar announced the members of the Commission in April.
"I am pleased that these passionate and accomplished individuals have agreed to serve St. Augustine and our nation by serving on this Commission," Secretary Salazar said.
"As stewards of our nation's great history, the Department of the Interior and the Commission will work to ensure that the story of St. Augustine and our Spanish ancestors is recognized and preserved for generations to come." |
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Commission duties | |
As defined in its charter, the commission's duties include:
ØPlan, develop, and carry out appropriate programs and activities;
ØFacilitate activities throughout the United States;
ØEncourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations nationwide to organize and participate, to expand understanding and appreciation of the significance of the founding and continuing history of St. Augustine;
ØProvide technical assistance to states, localities, and nonprofit organizations;
ØCoordinate and facilitate scholarly research on, publication about, and interpretation of, St. Augustine;
ØEnsure a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate programs;
ØHelp ensure that the observances appropriately recognize the experiences and heritage of all individuals present when St. Augustine was founded. |
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Members of the Federal Commission | |
ØJoseph L. Boles, Jr., Mayor of St. Augustine
ØKatharine H. Dickenson, Historic Preservationist
ØKatherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney
ØMichael Francis, Professor of History, University of North Florida
ØMichael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of History, University of Florida
ØBob Graham, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator
ØJay Kislak, President, Kislak Mortgage Corp. and National Park Foundation Board Member
ØEduardo Padron, President, Miami Dade College
ØBruce Smathers, Former Florida Secretary of State
ØRobert Stanton, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Department of the Interior
ØThomas S. Willis, Pastor, Cathedral Parish, St. Augustine, Florida
ØGordon Wilson, Superintendent, Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas National Monument
ØAndrew Young, former U.S. Representative, Mayor of Atlanta, and U.N. Ambassador
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History's Highlight
The founding of St. Augustine
4 years, 1 month, 27 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary | |
Days before setting foot on land himself, Pedro Menendez had sent two companies of infantry ashore to find a suitable location for fortification, while he continued searching the coastline for the French. 
His troops were well received by the Timucuan Indian tribe encamped in the area, Chief Seloy offering his timber and thatch house for their use. Around this immense house, capable of holding 300 persons, the troops built an entrenchment with a slope of earth and facines (timbers).
From the memoir of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, principal priest to Menendez:
"On Saturday, the 8th, the general landed with many banners spread, to the sound of trumpets and salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a cross and went to meet him, singing the hymn Te Deum laudamus.
"The general marched up to the cross, followed by all who accompanied him, and there they kneeled and embraced the cross. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all they saw done.
"The same day the general took formal possession of the country in the name of his Majesty, and all the captains took the oath of allegiance to him, as their general and governor of the country.
"When this ceremony was ended, he offered to do everything in his power for them, especially for Captain Patino who . . . I think, will be rewarded for his assiduity and talents in constructing a fort in which to defend ourselves until the arrival of help from St. Domingo and Havana."
University of Florida History Professor Emeritus Michael Gannon established through research that, following the landing and a Mass of Thanksgiving, a feast was ordered by Menendez, in which Seloy's tribe took part - the first Thanksgiving in these lands.
St. Augustine's founding September 8, 1565, was 42 years before the English landing at Jamestown, 55 years before Plymouth, and 211 years before the establishment of the United States of America. |
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The St. Augustine Report is published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine each Tuesday and on Fridays previewing City Commission meetings. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor. Contact The Report at gardner@aug.com |
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