On This Day

September 16, 1620. The day one of the most known ships in America, the Mayflower, departed England for a multi-month trek across a treacherous ocean.

While on this adventure, an advancement would be made that altered the course of American history. The men aboard the ship created a document known as the Mayflower Compact, the first recorded attempt at American self government. This precedent would continue to influence American political culture, including the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, serving as a basis to analyze what aspects of government worked effectively and what didn't.

This event is important due to its gravity at the time. Self government was rare, and what was even more infrequent were the equal rights given to the poor and rich as well as a lack of monarchy. In the true American spirit, all onboard would have an equal opportunity to make a name for themselves through this newfound freedom.

The Mayflower would go on to establish the Plymouth colony, one of the first major colonies in the America. They would later go on to merge with the Massachusetts Bay colony and become a colonial leader through to the 1800s, only rivaled by Virginia. The launching of the Mayflower has undoubtedly influenced American life today, through governmental example, political power, and a precedent for equality for the American people.