威尼斯人娱乐场

威尼斯人娱乐场 Stokes Debate on Birthplace of US Navy
Press Release 路 Thursday, October 14, 2010

Washington, DC

听

Washington, DC鈥�"Where is the birthplace of the US Navy?鈥� That was the burning question answered by a series of rousing huzzahs from the audience at a public program "Setting the Record Straight", co-hosted by the 威尼斯人娱乐场 and the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, MA. The event was held to celebrate the Navy鈥檚 235th birthday on October 13, 2010.

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero, who is a Beverly, MA, native, and 威尼斯人娱乐场 military expert Trevor Plante laid out the historical evidence and the arguments for the six towns that claim the distinction of being the birthplace of the US Navy: Providence, RI; Machias, ME; Philadelphia, PA; Whitehall, NY; Marblehead, MA; and Beverly, MA. Evidence included historic records of the various cities鈥� claims to Navy paternity, including maps, official acts of the Continental Congress, instructions to the Continental Congress, a letter from George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, and after action battle reports.

At the conclusion of the program, the Archivist of the United States called on Commander of the USS听Constitution听Tim Cooper to teach the audience the 18th-century cheer 鈥淗uzzah!" After a few practice tries, the voting began.

The results:

• Providence, RI: No huzzahs
• Machias, ME: One huzzah
• Philadelphia, PA: One huzzah
• Whitehall, NY: Two huzzahs
• Marblehead, MA: Thunderous huzzahs
• Beverly, MA: Thunderous huzzahs

The winner was to be determined by the loudest huzzahs from the Massachusetts audience. The Archivist's conclusion: 鈥淭here you have it鈥攖hat's it!鈥�

Museum President Anne Grimes Rand summed up the program by saying, 鈥淭his is how history works in a democracy."

# # #

For press information, contact the 威尼斯人娱乐场 Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.

11-06

听