Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Delaware Tercentenary - FDR Speech At Celebration

The 300th anniversary of the landing of Swedes in America (Delaware) was celebrated with commemorative ceremonies on a rainy June 27, 1938 (a Monday). The ceremony took place in Fort Christina State Park in Wilmington, Delaware; the park includes a rcoky outcropping - "The Rocks" - believed to be the landing spot for the original Swedish settlers in present-day Delaware.

A focal point of the ceremonies was the acceptance by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of a monument that was a gift of the Swedish people to the American people. The monument was created by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and paid for by the people of Sweden via ~200,000 small donations - ~$50,000 was raised in Sweden to pay for the sculpture.

"New Sweden" Monument Accepted by FDR at Ceremony

(Image Credit: "The 'New Sweden' Tercentenary" brochure - reprinted from The American Swedish Monthly magazine, June 1938. Fair use, education.)

The 25-foot tall monument, made from black granite, features a stylized representation of the Kalmar Nyckel at its top; The Kalmar Nyckel brought the first Swedish settlers to Delaware.

Members of the Swedish Royal Family - Prince Bertil and HRH Crown Princess Louise - were on hand to participate in the ceremonies. HRH Crown Prince Gustav Adolf was scheduled to take part and address the gathering, but took ill prior to the event and was forced to remain on the Royal ocean liner Kungsholm thst was docked in the Christina River (near the park). Prince Bertil took his place in the ceremonies.

In his speech, Prince Bertil remarked:

"The monument to be unveiled, to be dedicated, today is a gift from the people of Sweden to the people of the United States. [Applause] The funds were raised through public subscription wherein several hundred thousands of our citizens took part. I believe that amongst these subscribers, many had across-the-Atlantic brothers and sisters, parents and children. In contributing, they must have felt the links which connects them, and all of us, with your great country, where so many of the citizens are either of Swedish birth or purely or partly of Swedish descent."

Note: The following is a transcript of Roosevelt's speech as given at the ceremony. It varies slightly, however, from his prepared/pre-written address. Additions made by FDR as he gave the speech are underlined; omissions he made are enclosed in parentheses. I transcribed FDR's speech from its original radio broadcast.

FDR addressed the crowd that had gathered, despite the inclement weather, and offered the following:

"Your Royal Highnesses:

This is a day of happy significance, happy significance to three nations. I welcome you, for you represent a true friendship under which we have lived from the earliest times unmarred by any rift, unbroken by any misunderstanding. So, you are thrice welcome to our shores. [Applause]

It is a matter of keen sorrow and regret to me that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is unable to be at this historic spot today, but all of us pray that his recovery will be speedy and complete -- and I personally look forward to welcoming him and his family at Hyde Park or at Washington the end of this week. [Applause]

And I am grateful to Prince Bertil for the message that he has given to us from his distinguished grandfather and, when he returns to Stockholm, I hope that he will give to His Majesty King Gustavus V my affectionate regards and the affectionate regards of all the American people. [Applause]

I accept with profound gratitude, in behalf of the people of the United States, this noble monument placed here through the generosity of the people of Sweden. I am confident that to generations yet unborn in Sweden and in the United States it will typify close association and continued good will between our two nations.

It is therefore with much pleasure and sincere appreciation, that I turn over to the Governor of the State of Delaware this monument to hold in perpetuity in custody for the American people. [Applause]

I am personally fortunate in having personal association with the Colony of New Sweden, for one of my ancestors, (William) Wilhelm Beekman, served as Vice (Director or) Governor of the Colony of New Sweden on the Delaware River from 1658 to 1663. And I am also proud that Swedish blood runs in my veins, [Applause] for another of my ancestors, old Martinus Hoffman, was an early Swedish settler (of) in New Amsterdam.

My friend, the Governor of Delaware, holds office in direct official succession from the old Governors of New Sweden -- which reminds me of a recent rhyme descriptive of that famous Swedish Governor, Johan Printz, that doughty pioneer who is said to have tipped the scales at more than three hundred pounds.

"No Gov. of Del.
Before or since
Has weighed as much
As Johan Printz." (Laughter)

Your Royal Highnesses, it is a privilege to make grateful acknowledgment of the outstanding contributions made to our national life by men and women of Swedish blood. To this spot came the pioneers. But in the succeeding centuries tens of thousands of others have come to our shores and added their strength and their fine qualities of good citizenship to the American nation. In every phase of our history, in every endeavor -- in commerce and industry, in science and art, in agriculture, in education and religion, in statecraft and government, they have well played their part.

Nor have we as Americans forgotten that after the War of the Revolution, Sweden was the first neutral European power to negotiate a treaty of amity and trade with our young and struggling nation. [Applause] All these things we Americans recall today with grateful hearts.

And to you who are here as representatives of the people of Finland, I extend an equally hearty welcome. [Applause] Men and women from Finland through the generations have also contributed greatly to our American civilization. Finland, small in size but mighty in honor [Applause], occupies an especially warm place in the American heart.

Sweden, Finland and the United States will continue their service in the days to come in the cause of friendship and in the cause of peace among the nations of the world." (Applause, prolonged)

1936 Landing of the Swedes / Delaware Tercentenary Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more stories about the Delaware half d ollar, see: Commems Collection.