King Willem-Alexander to attend Statia’s First Salute 250 commemoration
The King, Prime Minister Rob Jetten and State Secretary Eric van der Burg will attend St. Eustatius’s commemoration of 250 years of the First Salute on 16 November, the island’s government said.
King Willem-Alexander will attend the commemoration of 250 years of the First Salute on St. Eustatius on the morning of Monday, 16 November, the Government of St. Eustatius said on Wednesday, 23 September. Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Eric van der Burg, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government, will also attend. A celebration will be held at Fort Oranje on the evening of Sunday, 15 November.
On 16 November 1776, the American brig Andrew Doria sailed into Statia’s harbour and fired a salute, and Governor Johannes de Graaff ordered Fort Oranje to answer it. The island’s government describes the exchange as the first recognition of the United States by a foreign power. The anniversary falls on Statia Day, the island’s annual holiday, in the year the United States marks 250 years of independence.
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The government has announced a week of evening events on Fort Oranjestraat under the theme “The Statia Spirit Perseveres, Saluting 250 Years”, opening with Roots & Rhythms – Stories Under the Stars on 10 November and followed by Gospel Night, Youth Night, Diamond Waterfall, Culture Night and All White on the Rock on 15 November. The main Statia Day event is at Fort Oranje on 16 November. The government said it expects hundreds of visitors from across the region and abroad.
With demand for rooms rising sharply, the government has secured the 95-stateroom Victory I as a floating hotel for up to 190 guests from 10 to 17 November. The ship will operate mainly from Statia but is scheduled to make a day visit to St. Maarten on 11 November to pick up more guests, returning to Statia that evening. Seven-night packages start at US$2,750 per room for up to two guests, before tourist tax and fees, the government said.