Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 377

STATE OF DELAWARE-EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT-PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the expedition of the New Sweden Company, comprising the two ships, "Kalmar Nyckel" and "Fogel Grip" left Gothenburg, Sweden in November 1637 to establish a colony in the New World and during the latter part of March, 1638 the expedition under the leadership of Peter Minuit landed on the "Rocks" on Christina River within the confines of present Fort Christina State Park in the City of Wilmington; and

WHEREAS, this settlement was not only the first permanent settlement in Delaware but in the whole Delaware River Valley as well, and the seat from which was disseminated the religious, governmental, agricultural, commercial and cultural beliefs and customs of Sweden to the surrounding territory, thus making an important contribution to the development of our Nation; and

WHEREAS, the 107th General Assembly of the State of Delaware by a Resolution approved March 17, 1939, authorized and directed the Governor of the State to proclaim March 29th of each year as "Delaware Swedish Colonial Day"; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the three hundred and eighth anniversary of this settlement and as it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of the first permanent settlement in Delaware be perpetuated by the holding of suitable exercises;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Waiter W. Bacon, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 29, 1946 as

DELAWARE SWEDISH COLONIAL DAY

and do request that proper exercises in observance thereof be held in the schools, churches, patriotic and historical societies and other organizations of our State and that our public officials came the flag of the United States to be publicly displayed throughout the day, and that in addition the National Flag of Sweden be raised also in Fort Christina State Park at or near the monument presented by the People of Sweden to the People of the United States.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Walter W. Bacon, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal to be hereunto affixed this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-six and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and seventieth.

(GREAT SEAL)

By the Governor:

WALTER W. BACON

WILLIAM J. STOREY, Secretary of State.