16 September Anniversary

The Mayflower eventually set sail from Plymouth, UK, on 16 September 1620 to start what would prove to be a treacherous transatlantic voyage to America.

On board were more than 100 men, women and children – passengers and crew from different walks of life across England and the Dutch city of Leiden.

Four centuries years later, a number of special events were planned to mark the anniversary - including an online documentary presented by well-known TV historian Dan Snow which aired on 16 September here on the Mayflower 400 UK website.

The documentary reflected the story of the colonists, the impact their arrival had on the Native American people who helped them, and the wider colonial context of this journey.

It also included a look at some of the cultural projects involved in the commemorative year. The anniversary programme importantly involved representatives from the Wampanoag nation, who told their side of this story in their own words for the first time having been censored or not included in previous anniversaries.

Below you'll find details of news, events, videos and articles relating to the anniversary from across the destinations linked to the Mayflower story.

  • The Mayflower: 400th Anniversary Special (History Hit Live)

    Well-known TV historian Dan Snow presented an online documentary which aired on 16 September, marking exactly 400 years to the day since the Mayflower set sail.

    'The Mayflower: 400th Anniversary Special' History Hit Live digital programme reflects the story of the colonists, the impact their arrival had on the Native American people who helped them, and the wider colonial context of this journey.

    More info
    Watch
  • Read: The journey to 16 September

    The Mayflower eventually set sail from Plymouth, UK, on 16 September 1620 to start what would prove to be a treacherous transatlantic voyage to America.

    But Plymouth was just the final departure point in a journey that had begun many years earlier. This is the fascinating story of how the colonists made the trip possible, and the events that led to them gathering on the water’s edge in Devon some 400 years ago.

    More info
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  • Read: Plymouth’s Mayflower 400 Young City Laureate pens special poem for anniversary event

    A special poem was commissioned from the Mayflower 400 Plymouth Young City Laureate as part of the commemoration year.

    Holly Peters wrote a wonderful poem titled 'Mother Mayflower' which was read out at the special Mayflower 400 anniversary event on 16 September.

    More info
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  • Read: Composers unite for special Mayflower 400 multimedia piece in London

    As part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, four composers from nonclassical - the London-based music promoter, record label and events producer - presented a multimedia piece that took journeys, migration and cultural identities as its themes.

    The works premiered here on 16 September, marking 400 years to the day that the Mayflower set sail.

    More info
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  • Event: An Evening with Adrian Gray

    North Notts Lit Fest took place digitally and distanced in 2020, with lots of exciting online content themed around Journeys.

    A special event titled 'An Evening with Adrian Gray' saw the author discuss his book, From Here We Changed the World, live on North Notts Lit Fest Facebook.

    More info
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  • Event: 66 Days

    As part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, four composers from nonclassical - the London-based music promoter, record label and events producer - presented a multimedia piece that took journeys, migration and cultural identities as its themes.

    The works premiered on 16 September, marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower setting sail.

    More info
    Read more
  • Watch: Virtual Voyages - Plymouth

    Discover a Virtual Voyage of Plymouth with a tour of this famous seafaring city, the Mayflower’s final stop before it crossed the Atlantic in 1620.

    The film explores some of the places in Plymouth connected to the Mayflower story and the 17th century waterfront.

    More info
    Watch
  • Read: TV historian hosting digital documentary to commemorate Mayflower voyage

    Well-known TV historian Dan Snow presented an online documentary which aired on 16 September, marking exactly 400 years to the day since the Mayflower ship set sail.

    Titled 'Mayflower 400 - Steering our future, informed by the past', the 'History Hit' digital programme reflects the story of the colonists, the impact their arrival had on the Native American people who helped them, and the wider colonial context of this journey.

    More info
    Read more
  • Read: Download interactive Plymouth Trails app and explore city's fascinating past

    An app featuring self-guided walking trails throughout Plymouth is now available to download, giving visitors and locals alike the chance to explore the city through new eyes and discover more about its complex history.

    The interactive Plymouth Trails app is free to download and includes three tailored trails: the Mayflower Trail, the City Centre Trail, and the Plymouth Hoe Trail.

    More info
    Read more
  • Read: New Mayflower pilgrimage from Dartmouth to Plymouth to mark 400th anniversary

    A vicar from Devon led a new pilgrimage from Dartmouth to Plymouth to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

    The Reverend Martin Warren and his fellow pilgrims arrived at the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth by ferry on Wednesday, 16 September - 400 years to the day since the Mayflower set sail from the city.

    More info
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  • Read: Argyle Community Trust explore Mayflower Trail on 16 September anniversary

    The Argyle Community Trust (ACT) were on the waterfront in Plymouth as the city marked the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower setting sail.

    The ACT was involved in the Mayflower 400 UK commemorations since late 2017, appointed by Plymouth City Council as the lead body in the stimulation and coordination of a sport and wellbeing programme and portfolio of events to raise participation in the city.

    More info
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  • Exhibition: A Mile In My Shoes

    At Southampton's Westquay, from 12-20 September 2020, the Empathy Museum’s 'A Mile In My Shoes' was a shoe shop where visitors were invited to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes – literally.

    Wearing a pair of the contributor's shoes, visitors could go for a walk, listening to the shoes' original owner telling them a story.

    More info
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  • Event: Pilgrims Gallery Anniversary Event

    The culmination of North Notts. Lit Fest and Heritage Open Days coincided with the first anniversary of the Pilgrims Gallery.

    The event featured the planting of the announcement of the North Notts. Lit Fest competition winners; the Pilgrim 400 apple tree in Bassetlaw Museum Gardens; and the cutting of the Pilgrims Gallery birthday cake.

    More info
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  • Event: Speedwell

    'Speedwell' was a large-scale art installation which lit up the waterfront in Plymouth, UK.

    It transformed the Mount Batten Breakwater into a public forum for discussion and debate about the impact and legacy of the ship's journey, colonialism and the ecological state of our planet during the Mayflower 400 commemorations.

    More info
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