Separatist Puritans fled England amongst the religious turmoil and landed in Linden Holland in 1608 where they resided for 10 to 12 years. They eventually decided they wanted to move further west to North America, but needed funding for the trip so they went back to England. They were given two ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower from the Virginia Company and departed from Plymouth, a southern shore of England on September 9, 1620. They arrived in the area now known as Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, laid anchor, and named the area Provincetown on September 20.
The very first representative event of established government occurred on their ship before they even stepped one foot onto North American soil. This was known as the Mayflower Pact. In December of 1620, they came into what is now known as the area of Boston and named it Plymouth Rock, after their point of departure on the southern shore of England. They established the second English colony which lasted from 1620-1691. Their first winter was difficult and due to nearly inhabitable conditions, half of their people died. The following spring, the colonists met a Native American named Samoset, who introduced them to his friend, Squanto. They were both very welcoming of the Puritans and helped them learn the land and grow crops.
In the fall, to celebrate a bountiful harvest, the Puritans and the Native Americans broke bread at the same table in October of 1621. This event was known as the first Thanksgiving and continues to be a National Holiday in our country today. We celebrate not only the things we are thankful for, but we celebrate the Puritans as well. Their bravery, perseverance and generous nature will continue to set the moral standards for Americans in generations to come.
Another event that has greatly influenced our country and its people occurred during the Jeffersonian era. A prelude to this event was the X, Y, Z affair, which took place during the presidency of John Adams. The name was coined after a newspaper reported on the event not knowing the names of the men involved, simply referring to them as X , Y, and Z. After the Revolutionary war ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, France became unhappy with America and began attacking merchant ships traveling to England. Even though Alexander Hamilton said this act is a cause for war, Adams wanted to remain neutral, knowing he hadn’t the resources to compete in yet another major