Although our travels have taken us to historic places in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, our English-speaking history on this continent goes back farther. Back 408 years, in fact, to the first permanent English-speaking colony of Jamestown, Virginia.
In 1607, 3 ships bringing men and boys arrived and landed in what is now Virginia and established James Fort, which expanded and became Jamestowne, named in honor of the British monarch. Over the next two years, more ships would arrive bringing more men and even women and children.
By the winter of 1609-1610, there were 500 people living there. Unfortunately, that was the winter known as "The Starving Time," an extremely difficult time to get food due to both a drought and hostilities with the Native Americans. The population went from 500 to only 60. Somehow a group did survive and then the colony grew and thrived.
Captain John Rolf of Jamestown married Pocohontas, the daughter of the Powhatan Chief and there followed a time of peace and cooperation with the local Native Americans. Many people in the world today trace their roots back to their union. Fascinating!
It is almost hard to conceive what these people had to go through to establish a society in this land. I have such an appreciation for so many people now that I have gotten to delve into the world from Jamestown through to the beginning of our modern government system.