Commodore John Drake Sloat will Return to Monterey's Custom House Saturday, July 2 at 2 p.m
Save the Date: Saturday July 2, 2011 a reenactment of one of the most important events in American history!
- Salinas, CA (1888PressRelease) June 13, 2011 - Commodore John Drake Sloat will return to Monterey's Custom House, near the Museum of Monterey, on Saturday, July 2 at 2 p.m. much as he did 165 years ago, on July 7, 1846, a feat that resulted in California and much of the west becoming part of the
United States.
Only this time it will be a reenactment of one of the most important events in American history as the Monterey History and Art Association commemorates the landing as it has annually since 1931, except during World War II.
This year's ceremony will include music by the Monterey Community Band, participation by the Joint Service Color Guard and a Marine detail to raise a 28-star flag. Participants also will include senior leadership from the Defense Language Institute, Naval Postgraduate School, U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey Historic Parks and MHAA.
Monterey Mayor Charles Della Sala will attend as will Captain Herschel Loomis, USN (Ret.), dressed in an 1800-period naval uniform as Commodore Sloat. He will read the original proclamation given at Monterey Harbor in 1846.
Sloat, who was Commander of American Naval Forces in the Pacific when he landed in Monterey, was born during the American Revolution and went to sea when he was 19 years old as midshipman. He became Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron at 63, the assignment that brought him to Monterey.
His landing and reading of the proclamation passed without bloodshed and, as history reports, later that day more than 100 marines, many of them with musical instruments, paraded down Calle Principal playing "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
For further information, please contact: (831) 372-2608, ext. 12
Press Contact: Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455
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