{Dutch - American Heritage Day: November 16 since 1991}

Dutch - American Heritage Day: 1991

By the President of the United States of America, George Bush
A Proclamation

On November 16, 1776, a small American warship, the ANDREW DORIA, sailed into the harbor of the tiny Dutch island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies. Only 4 months before, the United States had declared its independence from Great Britain. The American crew was delighted when the governor of the island, Johannes de Graaf, ordered that his fort's cannons be fired in a friendly salute. The first ever given by a foreign power to the flag of the United States, it was a risky and courageous act. Indeed, angered by Dutch trading and contraband with the rebellious colonies, the British seized the island a few years later. De Graaf's welcoming salute was also a sign of respect, and today it continues to symbolize the deep ties of friendship that exist between the United States and the Netherlands.

After more than 200 years, the bonds between the United States and the Netherlands remain strong. Our diplomatic ties, in fact, constitute one of the longest unbroken diplomatic relationships with any foreign country. 
 
Fifty years ago, during the Second World War, Dutch and American Servicemen fought side by side to defend the universal cause of freedom and democracy. As NATO allies, we have continued to stand together to keep the transatlantic partnership strong, and to maintain the peace and security in Europe. In the Persian Gulf, we joined as coalition partners to repel aggression and to uphold the rule of law.

While the ties between the United States and the Netherlands have been tested by time and by the crucible of armed conflict, the Dutch-American heritage is even older than our official relationship. Indeed, it dates back to the early 17th century, when the Dutch West India Company founded New Netherlands and its main settlement, New Amsterdam and Fort Orange - better known today as New York City and Albany.

From the earliest days of our republic, men and women of Dutch ancestry have made important contributions to American History and culture. The influence of our Dutch ancestors can stilll be seen not only in New York's Hudson River Valley but also in Pennsylvania along the Schuylkill River and in communities like Holland, Michigan where many people trace their roots to settlers from the Netherlands. Generations of Dutch immigrants have enriched the United States with the unique customs and traditions of their ancestral homeland - a country that has given the world great artists, celebrated philosophers, and leaders of international business.

On this occasion, we also remember many celebrated American leaders of Dutch descent. Three presidents, Martin Van Buren, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, came from Dutch stock. Arthur Vandenberg, who after World War II played a crucial role in the development of our bipartisan foreign policy, the strategy of containment, and the establishment of NATO, also traced his roots to the Netherlands.

Our Dutch heritage is seen not only in our people but also in our experience as a Nation. Our traditions of religious freedom and tolerance, for example, have spiritual and legal roots among such settlers as the English Pilgrims and the French Huguenots, who first found refuge from persecution in Holland. The Dutch Republic was also among those systems of government that inspired our Nation's founders as they shaped our Constitution.

In celebration of the long-standing friendship that exists between the United States and the Netherlands, and in recognition of the many contributions that Dutch-Americans have made to our country, the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 177, has designated November 16, 1991, as "Dutch-American Heritage Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this day.

NOW THEREFORE I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 16, 1991, as Dutch American Heritage Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred and sixteenth.

George Bush

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES THE HAGUE - NETHERLANDS | link to proclamation

{Possum encounter...}

On October 8, around 9:15 PM I did find this Possom inside the garage. Probably looking for some cat food? I did actually run up the stairs to get my camera and threw some cat food to feed it but it was too scared. Not quite an adult it seemed to me but it was drooling from fear. I got you some nice photos though and it gave me some insight too. Never had the oportunity before. They look cute in a way. Amazing long nails they have on their almost human-like fingers! It is NOT a rat; it is the only North American marsupial; buideldragend in Dutch; Beuteltier in German. In Australia you do have other marsupials like the koala, the kangaroo and the wombat. Meet one of our Garden Critters:

The first photo I got from this Possom. He/she is standing next to the litter box from our cats. This is for bad weather emergency use... very rarely. The cat food that I threw out, is not being touched... Look at its LONG finger nails!

One minute later... I moved something out of the way to the left and it is drooling out of fear for me...

Those ears!

Showing its teeth; they have about 50 of them. That is the highest number found in any mammal.

The full length and here you can see its long hair and long whiskers and eye brows too.

It's not a RAT!

It's the only North American marsupial. Click for video with info, scroll down: → The 'Possum Pages

Possums are nature's sanitation engineers.

They eat mice, rats, cockroaches, fruit, grain, berries, carrion, insects, snails, carrion, insects, snails, snakes, etc.

All the things you don't want in your yard or house.

They are prey for foxes, coyotes, snakes, owls, hawks, dogs, and HUMANS - against which they have no defense.

The chances of a possum having rabies is EXREMELY rare.

A possum is highly resistant to rabies.

{Our Acer - Maple Trees}

Just this week our Acer Saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree, was at its very best! So here I want to share some of its photos and also the Acer Palmatum Sango-Kaku that is in the wood garden, across the creek.

• This is our Acer saccharum Marshall or Sugar Maple tree. The very tree for the maple syrup!
• To the right, the yellow leaved tree is our Ginkgo biloba tree.
• Pieter has repaired our wooden bridges and treated with wood preserving oil.

• To the left is our Red Maple or Acer Rubrum. Two of our wooden bridges are visible here.

• The above photo is taken three days before the rest, notice the change in color...
• Our wooden bridge, repaired and treated with wood conservation.

• Three days later in full color, this was November 10. Our center bridge visible, covered with fall leaves.

• A view from across the pond...

• This is the Acer Palmatum Sango-Kaku or Japanese Maple 'Coral Bark'

• We do have other Acer - Maple trees but they don't have such lovely fall colors due to the hot and dry summer. 
• Hope next year things will look better again.