In two recent stories, the Times erred on when and where the first slave ships arrived – and when and where the Judeo-Christian faith began – in what is now the United States. Both events took place In Florida, on September 8, 1565, when the Spanish established St. Augustine.
These events were definitely not in Virginia. As University of Florida History Professor Michael Gannon said, “St. Augustine was already up for urban renewal” when British settlers landed at Jamestown 42 years later.
One of the two recent errors quoted President Obama in connection with the Fort Monroe National Historical Park. The other appeared on November 14, 2011, quoting a Williamsburg pastor who crowed, “[Jamestown] is really the birthplace of the Judeo-Christian faith in America.” That’s wrong. The first Christians and Jews settled in St. Augustine.
On slavery, Judith Seraphin previously pointed out a similar error. (NY Times Magazine, April 17, 2011). St. Augustine’s founder brought the first slave -- and first free -- African-Americans here in 1565. Pedro Menendez de Aviles contracted with the King of Spain to bring in 500 slaves within three years. Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young is working to found a Civil Rights Museum here.
Our Nation’s Oldest European-founded City celebrates our 450th anniversary in 2015. As Mayor Joseph Boles says, “Let’s get this party started!”
Ed Slavin
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
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