DutchGT500 Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Soon after George Washington used the Grand Union Flag in the initial phase of the American Revolutionary War, it became the national flag. The Grand Union Flag is the basis of the Stars and Stripes. The American ship, the USS Andrew Doria, on November 16, 1776, had the new American flag in top. When it arrived at Gallows Bay, on the island of St. Eustatius (Dutch Antilles), she was commissioned by Dutch Governor John de Graeff by a 11 gun salute from Fort Orange. This made The Netherlands the first country in the world (de facto) to recognize the United States and its flag as an independent power. When the Americans began their freedom struggle against the British, the Dutch delivered new arms and munition to US troops at Sint Eustatius. The English therefore declared war (Fourth English War) to the Dutch, and took in St. Eustatius. In 1816, St. Eustatius became a Dutch possession again. I didn´t know this and because I have a strong connection with the US I am proud of it. The U.S. partnership with the Netherlands is one of its oldest continuous relationships and dates back to the American Revolution. Starting in the late 16th century, the Dutch and other Europeans began to colonize the eastern coast of North America. The Dutch named their territory New Netherlands, which became a province of the Dutch Republic in 1624. The Dutch colonial settlement of New Amsterdam later became New York City. In 1664, the English seized the colony and renamed it New York. The Dutch briefly recaptured the colony, but during peace talks decided (under English pressure) to trade it for Suriname in South America which was more profitable. The most stupid decision of all time. The present-day flag of New York City is based on the flag of Republic of the United Netherlands. The Netherlands was the first European country to grant diplomatic recognition to the U.S., which appointed John Adams –- who later became the second president of the United States –- as the first ambassador. On 19 April 1782 Adams was received by the States General in The Hague and recognized as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. The house that Adams purchased in The Hague became the first American embassy in the world. At least five American presidents had Dutch ancestry: Martin van Buren, was the eighth President of the United States. He was a key organizer of the Democratic Party and the first president who was not of English, Irish, or Scottish descent. He is also the only president not to have spoken English as his first language, but rather grew up speaking Dutch. Theodore Roosevelt, was the 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt is most famous for his personality; his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his “cowboy” persona. In 1901, he became President after the assassination of President William McKinley. Roosevelt was a Progressive reformer who sought to move the Republican Party into the Progressive camp. Franklin D. Roosevelt, was the 32nd President of the United States. Elected to four terms in office, he served from 1933 to 1945, and is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms. A central figure of the twentieth century, he has consistently been ranked as one of the three greatest U.S. presidents in scholarly surveys. George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, were the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States respectively. They count members of the Schuyler family and the related Beekman family among their ancestors. Some interesting reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Americans (there is a lot of discussion on who was the first country, but Morocco did this in 1777). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri Leicht Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 :happy feet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-8 Vixen Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Fascinating information, Patrick! Thank you so much for sharing this! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUFDRAFT Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :beerchug: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportscars Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Great info my friend! How are you and Astrid doing? Whats the latest on immigrating to the US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchGT500 Posted March 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 Great info my friend! How are you and Astrid doing? Whats the latest on immigrating to the US? We are both fine. Thanks for asking. We hope to get more news after May 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mywickedshelby Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 There are Dutch Hex Signs all over Manhattan....all over NYC.......the Dutch heritage of the area while not well known is prominent on historic buildings, parks, names of streets and artwork. :happy feet: Great read Patrick........please give hugs to Astrid from Dale and I. hoping for great news after May 1st! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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