The anniversary of the transfer of the U. S. Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States will be commemorated with a 21-gun salute, the lowering of the Danish Flag, the raising of the American Flag, and the reading of selections from the "farewell service" held at the Dutch Reform Church on Transfer Day 82 years ago, on March 31, 1917.
The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the grounds of the Legislature Building.
Donna Christian-Christensen will open the ceremony. Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Ruby Simmonds will serve as master of ceremonies.
Music will be offered by the 666th Army Band, the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Charlotte Amalie High School and the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School bands and choirs.
Roy Watlington, professor of physics at the University of the Virgin Islands, is slated to be the keynote speaker
Soren Blak, Danish consulate of the V.I., is expected to make remarks at the event along with several other dignitaries, including Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
The United States purchased the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 in gold during World War I in order to protect the Panama Canal. On March 31, 1917 thousands of people celebrated the transfer in the same place — on the Legislature grounds.
