Commemoration of 1619 Arrival Of First Africans

HAMPTON

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.

The Annual African Landing Day Commemoration is hosted by the Fort Monroe Authority, National Park Service, Project 1619, Inc. and the City of Hampton and held at Fort Monroe on Saturday and Sunday August 24 and 25. On Friday, August 23, The William Tucker 1624 Society’s Annual African Landing Event will be held from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

The William Tucker 1624 Society will present Filipe Silvino de Pina Zau, Angola’s Minister of Culture as the keynote speaker for this event and in attendance will be 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.

New for 2024 will be a Soil Blending Ceremony during the day-long event at Fort Monroe on August 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Soil from Angola will be blended with soil from Fort Monroe and other Virginia locations  to mark the site of the African Landing Memorial, which is slated to be completed in 2026.

Other activities during Saturday 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.

On Sunday, August 25, 6-8 a.m. a Healing Day Ceremony will be held at Outlook Beach, Fort Monroe. This ceremony provides attendees with a unique opportunity for healing and cleansing of the soul. Attendees are encouraged to wear all white.