FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andi Martin, Marketing and Public Relations Manager
andi.martin@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2680
August 23, 2019
Alabama State Capitol Bell to Ring
for National Commemoration
(Montgomery, AL) On Sunday, August 25,
2019 at 2:00 pm CST, the bell at the Alabama State Capitol will ring in
solidarity with others across the country in a national “Day of Healing.”
Across the nation, communities and organizations are hosting
commemorative “Day of Healing” events recognizing the 400 years since the first
arrival of enslaved Africans to colonial Jamestown,
Virginia.
“This
is a special moment in American history,” said National Park Service Superintendent Terry E. Brown of Fort Monroe. “Let’s unite as one on this day and show
our appreciation for 400 years of African American history. We
must embrace the West African concept of Sankofa,
which teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”
Though remembrances across the country will showcase unique elements,
there is an important unifying component for all – a nationwide bellringing. To
honor enslaved African ancestors and their descendants whose forced labor
contributed to the establishment of the United Sates, bells will ring across the nation beginning at 3:00pm eastern for four
minutes representing four hundred years. Organizers across the
country are encouraging municipalities, townships, churches, schools, and
individuals to participate in this powerful moment of remembrance by ringing
bells in their respective time zones and locations.
August 20, 2019 marked 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were
forcibly migrated to Point Comfort
in colonial Virginia. The White Lion, an English ship,
reported “20 and odd” individuals were sold in exchange for food with the
remaining transported to Jamestown and sold into slavery. These enslaved
persons were the workforce behind the establishment of the first permanent
English colony in North America.
The Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers
Project release stated, “The landing of enslaved Africans at Point Comfort
and the various Middle Passage locations was a link in a chain of profound
events that shaped the United States, yet
this history is not widely known or appreciated. Commemorating that history
honors the lives of these African people and
their descendants, acknowledges their sacrifices, determination, and
contributions, and encourages a re-shaping of the history
with a more honest and inclusive telling of the story that will continue to
unfold and inform.”
The Alabama State Capitol is a historic
property of the Alabama Historical
Commission and one of 14 other sites managed by the agency. Executive
Director of the Alabama Historical Commission, Lisa D. Jones said, “We are
proud participate in the national commemoration and Day of Healing event, honoring
ancestors and descendants of those who were enslaved in this country. This is
an important day of reverence and remembrance.”
For more than 150 years, the Alabama State Capitol has
overlooked downtown Montgomery, AL
from its pinnacle setting. This National
Historic Landmark is a working museum of state history and politics.
The Alabama State Capitol is now recognized as an official
destination on the U.S. Civil Rights
Trail along with more than 100 locations across 14 states.
The Alabama State Capitol is a historic
property of the Alabama Historical Commission. To learn more about the Alabama
Historical Commission, or Alabama State Capitol, please visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.
About the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in
historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical
Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency
was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a
mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works
to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and
promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide
programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation
activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated
by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov.
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