Prior to the commemoration, a celebration will take place on the evening of Sunday, 15 November 2026, at Fort Oranje.
This year, the United States marks 250 years of independence. On 16 November 1776, a cannon salute was fired from Fort Oranje in response to a salute from the American ship Andrew Doria. A few months after the start of the American War of Independence, this marked the first recognition of the United States by a foreign power.
This historic event will be commemorated on Statia Day, the island’s annual holiday.
