Henry Hudson’s 400-Year Anniversary

NYC and CO. CEO George Fertitta (L), Dutch Architect Ben van Berkel (L,C), Mayor Bloomberg (C), Mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen (R) at a press conference announcing a year long celebration of the 400th anniversary of sailor Henry Hudson landing in New York. (The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—The 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of New York is a good reason for New Yorkers and Netherlanders to celebrate.

Mayor Bloomberg and Netherlands government officials announced a schedule of celebrations to take place in 2009. The festivities are to celebrate the 400-year anniversary of English sailor Henry Hudson and the crew of the Dutch Vessel “Half Moon” discovering New York and the river that is now named after him.

The event is called NYC400 and includes a New York holiday that is new for 2009: Harbor day. Visitors and natives will be able to rent bikes along the waterfront free of charge and participate in various activities in multiple Harbor District parks.

A May 1–June 7 event will feature 50,000 tulip bulbs that will bloom in a Bronx display that reminisces the huge tulip and lily gardens in Holland.

“We’re hoping all these events give people a reason to visit New York” said Bloomberg, “NYC 400 is something people from every country can enjoy.”

NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization for New York City, is taking on the task of organizing this effort to boost tourism in the city.

Mayor Bloomberg and Job Cohen (the mayor of Amsterdam) shared comparisons between New York and Amsterdam speaking of a renewed friendship between the two cities.

“Today and this year we celebrate pioneers from Amsterdam discovering the unofficial capitol of the world” said Cohen, “We are proud of that legacy and we are proud of the bond. We will strive for 400 more years of cooperation.”

“Why is it that Amsterdammers and New Yorkers share the same sense of pride and wonder when we enter each other’s cities?” asked Cohen.

The Netherlands government also revealed a pavilion they are presenting to New York City. The pavilion is a 5,000 square foot metallic structure that most people think looks like windmill blades or a flower. The architect, Ben van Berkel, said that the object it was supposed to look like depended on the eye of the beholder.

The pavilion will look out over the harbor where Hudson first arrived in 1609. It will be used for spontaneous and scheduled recreational activities. It will not cost the taxpayers of New York a penny as it is a gift from the Netherlands.

The Pavilion, a tribute to 400 years of friendship, will be permanently erected at the Battery in late 2009.