EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
DOVER
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Colony of New Sweden was established in 1638 at "The Rocks," now marked by Fort Christina Monument in the City of Wilmington; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of its founder, Peter Minuit, Fort Christina became the first permanent settlement in the Delaware River Valley as well as in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the State of Delaware has passed a resolution directing the Governor to proclaim March 29th of each year as "Delaware Swedish Colonial Day;" and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that tribute be paid to the contributions of the State's first settlers:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RUSSELL W. PETERSON, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim Monday, March 29, 1971, as
DELAWARE SWEDISH COLONIAL DAY
in our State, and request that on this day, and the days following, our schools, churches, patriotic and historical societies, community organizations and other institutions, commemorate the first permanent settlement upon the soil of Delaware with appropriate ceremonies.
I FURTHER REQUEST that State, County, City and Town Governments display the flags of the United States and the State of Delaware, and that the flags of the United States and the Kingdom of Sweden be flown at Fort Christina Monument during the period of observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, RUSSELL W. PETERSON,
(GREAT SEAL) Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to. be hereunto affixed at Dover this 11th day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninety-fifth.
RUSSELL W. PETERSON, Governor EUGENE BUNTING, Secretary of State