Mayflower Anniversary, ADVISORY

Sept. 16 marks the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower, which took Puritan settlers from England to set up a new colony in America.

Despite disruption from the coronavirus pandemic, commemorations are being held, with a determination to include the long-neglected stories of America’s Indigenous inhabitants.

The AP plans the following coverage. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org

MONDAY:

BRITAIN-MAYFLOWER II IN COLOR: Rare color footage of Mayflower II’s departure from Plymouth and journey to the U.S. in 1957 along with an interview with crew member Peter Padfield who shot the film. UPCOMING: 700 words, file photos of the Mayflower II and extracts of the color footage wrapped with an interview with Peter Padfield for video by 4 a.m. Eastern/0800 GMT.

BRITAIN-MAYFLOWER 400-EXHIBITION: What’s billed as the largest-ever Mayflower commemorative exhibition opens in September at a new museum in Plymouth, England. Co-curated with the Wampanoag Nation, it aims to put Native Americans at the heart of the story. UPCOMING: Photos, video by 4 a.m. Eastern/0800 GMT.

TUESDAY:

BRITAIN-MAYFLOWER 400-AUTONOMOUS SHIP: An autonomous ship, which will be christened the Mayflower 400, is lowered into the water for the first time before making its maiden voyage to Plymouth, Massachusetts, next year. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos, video by 9 a.m. Eastern/1300 GMT.

WEDNESDAY:

BRITAIN-MAYFLOWER 400: The U.S. and Dutch ambassadors to the U.K. are expected to attend the naming ceremony for the Mayflower 400 autonomous vessel that hopes to build on the pioneering journey made by the pilgrims 400 years ago. UPCOMING: Text, photo, video updates throughout the day.

SPOT COVERAGE PLANS:

::TIME TBA - Morning preps and interviews. Edited self-cover.

::9:10 a.m. Eastern/1310 GMT - Ceremony begins with Royal Marine Band.

::From 9:30 a.m. Eastern/1330GMT - Speeches.

::10:05 a.m. Eastern/1405 GMT - Naming ceremony for the Mayflower 400 autonomous ship. The vessel will then be towed out of the harbor. Organizers say the plan is for the vessel to conduct research along the British coast until its departure next year for Plymouth, Massachusetts. Covering live. Edits to follow.

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AP plans further coverage in the run-up to commemorative events in the U.S. later this year. Please monitor Coverage Plan for updates.