American Day in Vlissingen

July 11, 2009

Vlissingen Mayor Dijkstra and Embassy representative Ken Roy. Photo: Roosevelt Study Center

In conjunction with the nation’s many events commemorating Henry Hudson’s voyage 400-years ago to the shores of present-day Manhattan, the City of Vlissingen (Flushing) celebrated its own American Day.

Vlissingen is located in the province of Zeeland. Two U.S. Presidents, Theodore and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, are of Zeeland descent. Their ancestor, Claes Roosevelt, emigrated in the 17th century from the Zeeland island of Tholen to Manhattan.

Embassy Representative Ken Roy and Mayor Dijkstra  of Vlissingen opened the event with speeches in English and Dutch, respectively.  More than 5,000 people turned up to enjoy a classic American car show, big and tasty American hamburgers, live performances of American music by five different bands, a motorcycle rally with more than 300 riders, and lectures and presentations on common American and Dutch history.

Nearly 200 people entered photographs of their favorite place in America in a contest jointly sponsored by the local newspaper (Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant) and the U.S. Embassy.  (See entries at http://www.pzc.nl/foto/fotoalbum/)  Winners were named at the event.