MAYFLOWER!

On this very fateful day in 1620, the famed ship the Mayflower arrived in what is now Provincetown Harbor, Massachusettes. While they were anchored there, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, a document that included regulations as to when the group would progress to land.

The Mayflower Compact

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign, King James, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of Faith, etc.

Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith and honour of our king and country, a Voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnity and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact constitute and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November, in the year of reign of our sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

Interesting Fact:

• The Mayflower Compact was signed on November 11 using OLD STYLE dates, which used the Julian Calendar. When England altered to the Gregorian Calender, which was more accurate than the Julian Calender, they converted the dates of previous occurrences.

To research more about the Mayflower Compact, click this link, which provides excellent background information, as well as other facts.

To learn more about Old Style and New Style dates click this link. This is exceedingly interesting, actually.