Hampton, VA to Commemorate 404 Years of African American History with 1619 Landing Ceremony and Events
Hampton, Virginia is set to commemorate 404 years of African American history with a series of events and a landing ceremony to honor the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America in 1619. The events will reflect on the national and global significance of this historic event and the contributions of Africans and their descendants to American society. This year’s theme is ‘Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Slavery.’ The commemoration events are free and open to the public.
The main commemoration ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 26, from 10 am to 4 pm at Fort Monroe. The ceremony will feature a keynote address by Ric Murphy, an educator, historian, lecturer, and award-winning author of the highly-acclaimed book Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia. The program will include African drumming, a libation ceremony, and a special presentation by the K. Johnson Elementary School Crimson Thunder drumline. Visitors can also enjoy food vendors, crafts, dancers, and more.
In addition to the landing ceremony, there will be a series of events from August 24 to 27 that commemorate African American history. On Thursday, August 24, there will be a presentation at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center by Brian Owens, the sculptor of the African Landing Memorial. He will provide an update on his work and the newest plans for the site. Reservations are required to attend in person, but the program will also be available on Facebook Live.
On Friday, August 25, the Hampton community will gather at the Tucker Family Cemetery for a commemoration hosted by the William Tucker 1624 Society. Former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Justin Fairfax, Esq., will be the guest speaker. The ceremony will honor William Tucker, the first child of African descent baptized in English North America in 1624.
On Saturday, August 26, there will be a second opportunity to meet Brian Owens and learn about his work on the African Landing Memorial at Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center.
The commemoration weekend will continue on Saturday evening with the premiere of the documentary Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia at The American Theatre. Ric Murphy, the author of the book, also produced the documentary, narrated by Joe Minor.
The weekend will conclude on Sunday, August 27, with a cleansing and healing program at Outlook Beach. Led by Priestess Amani Tori Nefer Atum Re, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a program aimed at cleansing and healing, wearing white as a symbol of respect for the sacredness of the event.
Hampton, Virginia holds a significant place in American history as the site of the first continuous English-speaking settlement and the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in English North America. The commemorations and events planned for this year aim to honor this history and shed light on the contributions of African Americans to American society. With a diverse range of activities and programs, the commemoration weekend promises to be an important and educational experience for all who attend.
