Statia/America Day celebrations ST. EUSTATIUS--Statia/America Day was celebrated in grand style, Sunday, November 16, in commemoration of the fact that St. Eustatius was the first “nation” on earth to acknowledge the independence of the United States. Early Sunday, uniformed troops marched to historical Fort Oranje in Oranjestad for the traditional opening ceremony. Many dignitaries, among whom were Governor Frits Goedgedrag, Lt. Governor Hyden Gittens, Chairman of Parliament Pedro Atacho, and Minister of Justice David Dick, witnessed the opening of the festivities, which will be ongoing for the entire week. See for more about the Statia/America Day celebrations in tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) edition. Copyright ©2008 The Daily Herald St. Maarten E-mail 468