St. John was originally inhabited by the Taíno people, who were driven out by the Caribs in the 13th century. The first European settlers to arrive on the island were the Spanish, who established a colony in 1493.
St. John is a U.S. Virgin Island known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and diverse wildlife. It’s also known for its rich history and culture that can be dated back to the mid-1600s when English settlers first arrived there. To this day, St. John celebrates many historical events that are important to its past and present societies. One of these events takes place on December 27th each year to commemorate a key moment in St. John’s history. In this post, we will take a look at the significance of December 27th as it pertains to St. John’s history and how it affects us today.
St. John was originally inhabited by the Taíno people, who were driven out by the Caribs in the 13th century. The first European settlers to arrive on the island were the Spanish, who established a colony in 1493. The Spanish were driven out by the Dutch in 1648, and the Dutch colony was taken over by the French in 1733. The British took control of the island in 1763, and it remained under British rule until it was granted independence in 1967.
On December 27, 1493, Christopher Columbus arrived on St. John with his fleet of ships. He claimed the island for Spain and named it after Saint John the Baptist. The Spanish established a colony on the island, but it was short-lived as they were soon driven out by the Dutch.
The Dutch colonized St. John in 1648 and renamed it Sint Jan. They built Fort de Goede Hoop, which was later captured by the French in 1733. The French renamed the island Saint-Jean and developed sugar plantations there. The British took control of St. John from the French in 1763 and renamed it once again, this time to Saint John’s Island. It remained under British rule until 1967 when it was granted independence along with all of the other islands in what is now known as the Virgin Islands archipelago.
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December 4th is significant in St. John history because it marks the day that the first Catholic church was built on the island. The church, named after Saint John the Evangelist, was blessed by Father Jose Antonio Oliver. This date is also significant because it is the feast day of Saint John the Evangelist.
In addition to December 21, 1693, when the island was first settled, other important dates in St. John history include:
1733 – Danish King Christians borg Palace is completed on Government Hill
1754 – Construction of Fort Frederik begins
1776 – America’s Declaration of Independence is read aloud on St. John for the first time
1804 – The Danish West India and Guinea Company goes bankrupt, leading to the sale of St. John to the US government
1848 – The Fireburn Rebellion takes place, one of the largest slave rebellions in Danish West Indian history
1917 – The US Virgin Islands are officially separated from the Danish West Indies and become a US territory
1956 – Virgil Griffith becomes the first person of color to be elected to public office in the US Virgin Islands
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In the wake of Hurricane Irma, St. John has seen a dramatic transformation. In the months since the storm, the island has undergone a massive clean-up effort, with debris being removed and roads and buildings being repaired.
The landscape of the island has also changed, with many trees and plants being uprooted or damaged by the hurricane. The vegetation is slowly starting to regrow, but it will take time for the island to return to its pre-hurricane state.
As we reflect on the history of St. John, we must remember the significant impact that December has had on the present day. From the arrival of the first Europeans to the island in 1493 to the devastating hurricanes of 2017, December has shaped the course of St.John’s history.
The month of December is significant for many reasons. It was in December of 1493 that Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of present-day St. John and claimed the island for Spain. This event would have a profound impact on the island’s future, as it would eventually become a key part of the Spanish Empire in the Caribbean.
In more recent history, December has been a month of tragedy for St. John. In 2017, two major hurricanes – Irma and Maria – struck the island within weeks of each other, causing widespread damage and destruction. These storms forever changed the landscape of St. John, and their impact is still felt today by those who live here.
While December may be a month full of sad memories for some, it is also a time to celebrateSt. John’s rich history and culture. From its early days as a Spanish colony to its present-day status as a US Virgin Island, St. John has always been a place full of promise and potential. As we look to the future, let us remember all that this special place has to offer us in December and throughout the year.
St. John has a long and rich history that is reflected in the events of December 27th, from its past as a French colony to its more recent role as an independent nation. This day marks the anniversary of when slavery was abolished in St. John, signifying an important shift towards greater freedom and equality for all members of society regardless of race or creed. As we reflect on this significant moment in time, let us strive to continue St. John’s legacy by continuing our work towards building a safer and fairer world for everyone.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 27 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | December 27 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | December 27 | Friday |
| 2025 | December 27 | Saturday |
| 2026 | December 27 | Sunday |
| YEAR | DATE | EVENT |
| 2022 | December 27 | National Fruitcake Day |
| 2022 | December 27 | International Day of Epidemic Preparedness |
| 2022 | December 27 | Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day |
| 2022 | December 27 | St. John History |
| 2022 | December 27 | Visit the Zoo Day |
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