The Good Guys

2009 Marks 400 Year Anniversary Since Henry Hudson Set Sail

Year-long celebrations announced for New York and Amsterdam

Uruguayan Tall Ship approaching New York City.

The year 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the day that Henry Hudson set sail from Amsterdam, dropping anchor in New York Harbor five months later in September 1609. His first steps on the tip of Manhattan eventually gave rise to a thriving settlement of what is today New York, in many ways the capital of the world. A foundation has been set up to commemorate the event on both sides of the Atlantic, bring the people and their roots closer together, outline what the next 100 years might look like if the younger folks had their say, and have lots of fun along the way. Some of the events currently established include:

• Festival Amsterdam: July 31st -August 2nd, 2009
• Henry Hudson transatlantic sailing race: Sunday 2nd August - Thursday September 3rd, 2009
• Festival New York: September 2nd - 6th, 2009

Additional events are being announced as the time gets closer. Read more on the Henry Hudson 400 (HH400) website.

Vessel passing Lady Liberty upon return to New York Harbor.

HENRY HUDSON TRANSATLANTIC RACE

In addition  a three masted Clipper ship will sail for New York with a crew of 40 young people, aged 16 to 25 years, both Dutch and American, chosen for the privilege through a process of selection. They will follow the course Henry Hudson steered in 1609. Apart from their work as crew members, the young people collectively will create a New Amsterdam Charter, setting forth how their generation wishes to shape the future of both cities. They will highlight problems as well as solutions. On Thursday, September 3rd, the young crew will present the charter to NY City officials during their festive arrival in New York Harbor.