BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Four hundred eighteen years ago, over a hundred adventurers embarked on a daunting 144-day journey from the pastoral landscapes of England to the Chesapeake Bay, driven by the allure of opportunity in the New World. Commissioned by King James I and the Virginia Company of London, these pioneers set sail aboard three modest vessels — the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery — on a treacherous expedition across the Atlantic. Their mission was to extend the English Crown’s reach into uncharted territories, forge new beginnings for their families, and contribute to the “Glory of His Divine Majesty.”
This moment, known as the “First Landing,” marked the genesis of America’s destiny, as this brave band of Christians erected a prominent wooden cross at Cape Henry, Virginia. Under the First Charter of Virginia, which sanctioned their voyage, they consecrated the New World, expressed gratitude for their safe passage, and dedicated the land to divine glory. The raising of the Cape Henry Cross symbolized the covenant made by the settlers on their inaugural day in this new land — a promise to adhere to God’s guidance, seek His blessings, and trust in His providence.
As weeks passed, these men ventured inland to establish Jamestown — the first enduring English settlement on American soil. “We hope to plant a nation where none before hath stood,” one early settler joyfully proclaimed in song. However, the journey was fraught with peril and hardship; the settlers confronted severe drought, starvation, and disease. By the end of their first year, only 38 of the original 104 men had survived. Yet, through divine grace, Jamestown persisted, giving birth to the indomitable American spirit characterized by courage, resilience, and determination.
Today, a majestic granite cross stands on those same sacred shores, a testament to the steadfast faith of the Jamestown settlers, who believed in God’s abiding grace, abundant mercy, and everlasting glory. Our Nation pays tribute to the heroic souls whose unwavering faith and extraordinary bravery, over four centuries ago, foretold the emergence of the greatest Republic the world has ever known. It is in their memory that we commit to forging a future that not only celebrates our history and honors our heritage but also glorifies our Almighty God.
More than four centuries following the First Landing, we solemnly renew our covenant to remain one Nation under God, continually seeking His blessings and protection.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 29, 2025, as a day to commemorate the 418th anniversary of the First Landing and the Raising of the Cross at Cape Henry, Virginia, by the Jamestown settlers.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
