Commemoration Statement for the 406th year of the First Legislative Assembly in U.S. History
In the year 1619, a significant event unfolded in the wooden church of Jamestown, Virginia. English settlers established the first representative assembly, marking the beginning of a rich legacy of self-government that continues to define the American spirit [1][4]. This historic body, known as the General Assembly or the House of Burgesses, was the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession.
Governor George Yeardley presided over this assembly, which included the governor, his appointed council, and two elected burgesses from each of the colony’s 11 settlements [1]. This bicameral legislature, modelled after the British parliamentary system, had legislative powers, including originating laws and granting supplies. The governor and council retained rights of revision and veto [1]. This assembly evolved and persisted until the American Revolution, representing a continuous exercise of colonial self-rule [1][5].
The impact of this assembly on self-government in the US is profound. It demonstrated that settlers could govern themselves through elected representatives, inspiring the development of democratic institutions and the concept of government by the people. Today, these principles can be seen in the governance structures from town halls to the presidency in the United States [5].
The House of Burgesses is also recognized as the oldest continuous lawmaking body in the Western Hemisphere, making it an essential precedent for the later American political system [5]. The ideals born in Virginia, such as self-determination, representation, popular accountability, and devotion to the common good, continue to light the way for generations to come [1][2].
The principles of liberty and independence, born in Virginia, have guided the country for over two centuries. The sacrifices of the first settlers have led to the Nation standing taller, prouder, mightier, and greater than ever before. As we celebrate the 250th year of the United States as an independent Nation, we remember the legacy of Jamestown and the seeds it planted for the democratic governance structure central to the United States’ identity [1][2].
The legacy of Jamestown lives on through the Virginia House of Delegates, reminding us of our roots and the ideals that continue to inspire the American way of life. The ideals born in Virginia continue to be evident from town halls to statehouses to Congress and the presidency. The assembly's influence can be seen in the governance structures from town halls to the presidency in the United States, making it a critical milestone in American history [1][2].
References:
[1] National Park Service. (n.d.). First Representative Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/jame/learn/historyculture/first-representative-assembly.htm [2] History.com Editors. (2009, July 03). House of Burgesses. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/house-of-burgesses [3] Virginia House of Delegates. (n.d.). About the House of Delegates. Retrieved from https://lis.virginia.gov/about/ [4] The Library of Virginia. (n.d.). First Representative Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.virginia.gov/historicsites/jamestown/articles/first-representative-assembly.htm [5] The National Constitution Center. (n.d.). First Representative Assembly. Retrieved from https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/philosophy/first-representative-assembly
The House of Burgesses, founded in 1619, served as the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession and has been recognized as the oldest continuous lawmaking body in the Western Hemisphere, demonstrating the power of self-government and popular accountability. The principles established by the House of Burgesses, such as self-determination, representation, and devotion to the common good, have significantly influenced the democratic governance structures from town halls to the presidency in the United States.
