Prime Minister Mike Eman will visit St. Eustatius on November 16th, 2026, to attend the 250th anniversary commemoration of the First Salute, a historic event that gave the small Caribbean island a significant place in American history. The celebration will take place one day before the start of the Kingdom Summit in St. Maarten, which Eman is also scheduled to attend.
The First Salute dates back to November 16, 1776, just months after the United States declared its independence. On that day, the American ship Andrew Doria arrived in St. Eustatius flying the flag of the newly established nation.
When the ship fired a cannon salute, Fort Oranje responded with a salute of its own. This exchange became known as the First Salute and is widely regarded as the first official salute to the American flag by a foreign power.
The gesture was seen as a symbolic recognition of the newly independent United States and established St. Eustatius as an important location in the history of American independence.
Eman emphasized that although St. Eustatius is a small island, its contribution to this historic moment continues to be recognized internationally, particularly in the United States.
The 250th anniversary celebration is expected to bring together several prominent figures, including King Willem-Alexander, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, and State Secretary Eric van der Burg. Eman also expressed hope that high-ranking representatives from the United States would attend.
Beyond the historical significance of the event, Eman highlighted the close ties between Aruba and St. Eustatius. He described the island as a sister island with which Aruba shares historical and cultural connections.
One notable similarity is that both islands have a capital named Oranjestad. Eman also emphasized the positive relationship between their representatives and the importance of recognizing St. Eustatius’ contribution to history.
According to the prime minister, the anniversary is a source of pride not only for St. Eustatius but also for the other Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Following the commemoration, Eman will travel to St. Maarten for the Kingdom Summit, scheduled for November 17 and 18, 2026.
The summit will bring together representatives from Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and St. Maarten to discuss the future of the Kingdom and explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
Each country will deliver a State of the Nation address, with its prime minister outlining national achievements, current challenges, and areas where cooperation could be strengthened.
Through his participation in both events, Eman aims to reinforce Aruba’s relationships with its Caribbean neighbors while contributing to discussions about the future of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
