Holland on the Hudson

Holland on the Hudson

In September 2009 New-York (USA) celebrated 400 years of enduring friendship between the Netherlands and the United States. Four hundred years ago, a Dutch ship called the Half Moon guided to the shores of what is now New York City with Captain Henry Hudson at the helm. This led to the establishment of New Amsterdam and the New Netherland colony. Some 167 years later, in 1776, the Dutch were the first to salute the flag of the United States of America. NY400 celebrates the free spirit, openness, entrepreneurship and tolerance of those Dutch-American pioneers, and their continued relevance today and beyond.

By invitation of Human Right Watch the sailing team of Miles4Justice sailed 1000 miles of the Nothern leg of the original Henri Hudson journey at 1609 on his way from Amsterdam to New York, where he arrived on 8th September 1609. The team arrived on the 8th September 2009 in New York harbor and participated in the ceremonies of the NY400. Upon arrival, the team donated a cheque of $30.000 to Human Right Watch, for their research on violations of human rights.

Additionally the team presented the mayor of New-York a cheque $40.000 to support his organisation Groundswell Community Mural Project that brings together artists and youth to use art as a tool for social change.

Click here for a PDF file with more information about this event.