Several professors, government officials and political party members spoke in a forum on political and social issues affecting U.S. territories, which focused mainly on the relationship between the U.S. federal government and the governments of the territories. Following the speakers' prepared remarks, the panelists responded to questions from members of the audience.

More than 2,000 years ago there was likely a thriving Taino community in the heart of Charlotte Amalie. In 2013 contractors began turning up shards of pottery and other artifacts during otherwise routine roadwork on Main Street near Market Square. Work was temporarily halted and archeologists were called in to help dig up what was described as a “major” find. Thousands of artifacts were eventually discovered in a relatively small area. A short documentary was later produced about the dig and the many interesting objects found on site. - - US Virgin Islands DPNR and the State Office of Historic Preservation

Motives to Colonization Before dealing with the Danish colonization of St. John, it must be asked why Denmark ventured into the tropics after 1650 when there was risk of conflict with stronger European nations, and when she had problems enough in the Baltic. When considering the establishment of trans-Atlantic colonies attention must also be drawn to nationalistic motivations. Sweden, Denmark's Baltic rival, had begun to take an interest in West Indian and African colonies (2). From a political point of view Denmark was being outdistanced by the Swedes by 1650, and because of competition and prestige she could not sit back and watch calmly as they got ahead in the race for the riches from foreign parts of the world. Still, from either a materialistic or a political point of view, there is no disputing that the desire for economic gain provided the primary incentive behind Danish expansion into the Caribbean, and for the colonization of St. John. 

This lecture entitled “Danish National Archives, Tips and Tricks for Danish West Indies Genealogy Research” is presented by researcher Dante Beretta.

The Danish National Archives (Rigsarkivet) has the largest collection of historical documents related to the Danish West Indies, now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dante will share tips and tricks on how to be more effective in discovering your family story in these valuable documents. He uses his own family research as an example throughout the presentation.

Dante has researched his family story in the Virgin Islands/Danish West Indies through many generations and writes family stories as short vignettes, including "My Emancipated Ancestors", “How Crown House Survived the Hurricane of 1916", "Early St. Thomas Panoramas - 1850s", and "Taking the Last Danish Census - 1911" just to name a few. Dante’s familiarity with the Danish records is tied to his research and to his experience as a volunteer helping to transcribe records within the Danish National Archives West Indies Collection.

About the Danish Archives West Indies Collection
In 2017, with the support of AP Møller and his wife, Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller's Foundation for General Purposes and the Ministry of Culture, the National Archives marked the anniversary by disseminating the original documents and sources as well as the history of the colonial era. The National Archives 'digitization project "Danish West Indies - sources of history" ran for four years, and the digitized records were presented on the website www.virgin-islands-history.org. There you can find an enormous number of records, descriptions, protocols, letters, and illustrations, all of which provide a unique insight into history. The documents became available to everyone on March 1st, 2017, via the website.

The documents from Denmark's colonial era in the West Indies were included in UNESCO's list of world cultural heritage in 1997 and are thus recognized as an important part of the world's cultural heritage. But for many years, the documents have almost only been used by a small group of particularly interested researchers in Denmark. The National Archives wanted everyone to have access to the sources - including all those who have family ties back to the colony, regardless of whether they live in the West Indies, in Denmark, or the USA.

The National Archives scanned and digitized most of the documents and offer a list of archive creators and archive series on the website. Now everyone has access to the documents without having to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark. It just requires a computer, access to the web, and a good portion of patience!

Objective: 1. To introduce students to the Caribbean influence in hip-hop music, focusing on the pioneering group Salt-N-Pepa and the contemporary success of R. City.2. To explore how artists from the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean have contributed to the popularity and expansion of hip-hop music.3. To encourage students to appreciate and celebrate their cultural heritage while embracing diverse narratives in the world of music.

This short educational film highlights the work of Senator Theovald Moorehead in the US Virgin Islands and his activism to promote a happy island for all, not just for tourists. The film cautions against the gentrification and tourism-dominated space on St. John, which has resulted in the loss of deep culture. The documentary is structured to educate and engage the community. It features Virgin Islanders discussing Senator Moorehead's life and work, analyzing his vision for St. John, and inspiring their fellow Virgin Islanders to dream and create a better future for their island.

International Day for Monuments discussion with Former Senator Myron Jackson about the bust of King Christian the IX being removed from the Emancipation Gardens public space as a result of public outcry.

The measure appropriates $20,000 from the St. Thomas Capital Improvement Fund to cover the cost of removing and replacing the sculpture. Additionally, the program promotes new discourses, alternative and nuanced approaches to established historical narratives, and promotes inclusive and diverse points of view.

From a team of Puerto Rican journalists, musicians and artists, "La Brega" is a 7-part podcast series that opens doors to the Puerto Rican experience, co-pro...

From a team of Puerto Rican journalists, musicians, and artists, "La Brega" is a 7-part podcast series that opens doors to the Puerto Rican experience.

The lesson plan "Exploring Emancipation: A Digital Walking Tour of Frederiksted" offers a unique and engaging educational experience that delves into the historical significance of Frederiksted, a place where the 1848 emancipation of all enslaved individuals in the then Danish West Indies was achieved through the resolute efforts of the enslaved themselves. Collaboratively developed by the Crucian Nature and Tourism Organization and the Division of Virgin Islands Cultural Education, this lesson plan aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Frederiksted as an emancipatory stronghold, with a focus on the layered post-1848 emancipation evolution. The lesson is thoughtfully designed to align with the 175th commemoration of the 1848 Emancipation Act, and it fosters peer-to-peer learning while incorporating integrated activities centered around locally significant themes.

Presentations
VI Freedom Week- St. John Fortsberg Virtual Presentation with Kurt Marsh of St. Janco

Denmark Vesey worked as a carpenter and was formerly an enslaved person. Vesey was born in the Danish West Indies, which are now known as the Virgin Islands of the United States. Vesey allegedly plotted an enslaved uprising in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1822 to coincide with Bastille Day. Vesey patterned his movement after Haiti's successful 1791 slave revolt.

Friendship Day between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico is a public holiday observed in the United States Virgin Islands on the second Monday of October. The holiday was established in 1964 by Governor Paiewonsky to recognize Puerto Ricans who live in the Virgin Islands or have made significant contributions to the territory.
The date was chosen to coincide with Columbus Day, as it was seen as "an ideal day for recognizing Americans' solidarity with the Caribbean.

The day was established by Act 8257, which was signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. in January. It commemorates the adoption of the Virgin Islands flag on May 17, 1921.

 It was determined in 1847 that future children born to enslaved laborers would be free, and that slavery would be abolished totally in 1859. Instead of agreeing to the deal, the enslaved began mobilizing, and on July 3rd, 1848, an estimated 8,000 enslaved individuals demanded their freedom 1848, an estimated 8,000 enslaved individuals demanded their freedom in Frederiksted in front of Fort Frederik

Dr. Hadiya Sewer joins the show to talk about her work with the VI Studies Collective and the St. John Heritage Collective.
Dr. Hadiya Sewer joins the show to talk about her work with the VI Studies Collective and the St. John Heritage Collective. (English, 1 hr)

Original post: http://bit.ly/2GOQISN

1:58 Bajo el Sol Gallery Events
9:56 Theodora Moorehead
11:17 Recovery, changes, developments on St. John since “Irmaria”
16:50 The VI Studies Collective
24:24 Responses from VISCO workshops
30:39 Break
31:45 “Colonialism without Colonizers” speech and British Virgin Islands
40:06 Responses to new governor in US Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan, Jr.
44:09 U.S. Federal government shutdown and the National Park on St. John
47:21 2020 Census, citizenship question, VI delegate to Congress
49:26 Green New Deal and climate justice
57:09 Outro

Dr. Hadiya Sewer joins the show to talk about her work with the VI Studies Collective and the St. John Heritage Collective.

1:58 Bajo el Sol Gallery Events
9:56 Theodora Moorehead
11:17 Recovery, changes, developments on St. John since “Irmaria”
16:50 The VI Studies Collective
24:24 Responses from VISCO workshops
30:39 Break
31:45 “Colonialism without Colonizers” speech and British Virgin Islands
40:06 Responses to new governor in US Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan, Jr.
44:09 U.S. Federal government shutdown and the National Park on St. John
47:21 2020 Census, citizenship question, VI delegate to Congress
49:26 Green New Deal and climate justice
57:09 Outro