Join the Discussion

Reply
Report this post

Jamestown's founding has a much deeper meaning than merely being one of our national origins. It was the seminal incident that introduced the opportunities for its founders to innovate many of the profound social, political, and economic tenets that have come down to us through our history. Their lasting effect is what has differentiated Jamestown from other preceding or contemporary English and European settlements in America, whether St. Augustine, Santa Fe, Quebec, New York or Plymouth. It is also true that is where the germs of our nation's most heinous social maladies were incubated, such as institutionalized slavery and the devastation of American Indian life and culture. Jamestown is where the taproot was planted for some of our most cherished and fundamental ideals and ideologies, for which we fought our Revolution, and we since have defended for over 231 years. They were nurtured and established there during eight decades, to become among the key beliefs and values on which our nation was founded and has flourished. As we come to look back on its Quatercentenary, its legacy should be a greater recognition of Jamestown's crucial place in our history, its contributions to our constitutional republic and how it has become woven into our national fabric. However, the most important of its legacies was its settlers' determination to succeed – or the American “can do” spirit. With that fortitude, they and their descendants also forged the unique element of our American culture: a persistent striving for the freedom to better ourselves with property, innovation and enterprise. This is the legacy that has become our American credo and is the real meaning for the Quatercentenary of Jamestown's founding. Its first seeds were sown there 400 years ago and today all Americans enjoy its fruits. This is why Jamestown remains relevant and so significant for each and every one of us, and why we should forever remember its founding as the seminal incident that introduced the opportunities for the economic and political innovations and enterprise that have made our nation what it is. Our American culture of innovation and initiative continues to resonate from that Jamestown adventure. As we conclude celebrating the founding of that first tiny settlement 400 years ago, we should appreciate its legacies and that the roots of our national aspirations for opportunity and self-determination were planted there.