Queen Sofía Leads Symposium Highlighting Spain's Role in the American Revolution for America 250 Celebrations
Queen Sofía Leads Symposium Highlighting Spain's Role in the American Revolution for America 250 Celebrations
Last month, Queen Sofía of Spain presided over a significant symposium titled 'Spain and the Birth of American Democracy', held from September 19-20 at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall. This historic event marked a pivotal moment in the celebrations of America 250, reflecting on the contributions of Spain to the genesis of the United States. The symposium was orchestrated in collaboration with the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) and the Fundación Ramón Areces (FRA), receiving additional support from the Cultural Office of the Spanish Embassy in the U.S.
The event attracted hundreds of attendees and featured renowned scholars and historians who shared their insights and research regarding Spain's crucial impact during the American Revolutionary War. Among the notable speakers were Richard L. Kagan, an esteemed professor at Johns Hopkins University known for his expertise in modern Spanish history, and Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia, a specialist on the influential figure Bernardo de Gálvez. Additionally, Kathleen DuVal, a 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner in History, presented her findings, further enriching the discussions.
The symposium opened with a welcome address from Ángeles Moreno Bau, the Ambassador of Spain to the U.S. She underscored the importance of this gathering in strengthening the enduring historical and cultural connections between the United States and Spain. Pilar Lladó, chair of the board at QSSI, reiterated the significance of educating the public on the collaborative history shared between the two nations, highlighting Spain's often-overlooked contributions during America's formative years.
Ginnie Sebastian Storage, President General of DAR, enthusiastically welcomed the attendees. She emphasized the importance of integrating Spain's shared history into the America 250 celebrations, stating, “It has been a privilege for our organization to work alongside our esteemed Spanish partners to plan and host this important symposium.” Storage expressed gratitude for the historians and scholars who illuminated Spain's critical yet frequently disregarded role in the American Revolution.
The symposium featured a range of presentations from international experts, professors, historians, and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, all discussing the latest research related to Spain's involvement in the American Revolutionary War. Attendees were encouraged to engage in interactive booths hosted by various organizations that provided educational resources and genealogical information. The DAR members offered resources to trace connections to Spanish Patriots, facilitating the exploration of one’s lineage to uncover potential ties to America's revolutionary history.
Participating organizations included the Museum of the American Revolution, Gilder Lehrman Institute, Military Women's Memorial, and several Spanish institutions like the Spanish Royal Mint and the Bernardo de Gálvez y Gallardo Cultural Association. Each contributed to making the event both informative and engaging for participants.
The symposium reached a celebratory peak with the announcement by Begonia Santos, president and CEO of QSSI, regarding a forthcoming third AmericaSpain250 Symposium to take place in the United States in 2026. Santos invited everyone to remain involved in this ongoing initiative, which aims to promote recognition of Hispanic contributions to the establishment of the United States.
Throughout the symposium, presentations were made available on the DAR website. There are plans for these to be transcribed and translated into Spanish as part of ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and understanding of this pivotal history. Accompanying this, the 'Spanish Influence on American History' educational platform, developed by QSSI, offers resources such as primary documents, lesson plans, and educational videos, all designed to facilitate deeper understanding of Spain’s role in American history.
The DAR provides extensive research resources for those looking to explore connections to Spanish Patriots through the DAR Library, which is known as one of the largest genealogical research centers in the U.S. The America 250! initiatives by DAR, which encompass various educational and community service projects, reflect the organization’s commitment to honoring the foundational history of the United States. As preparations for the 250th anniversary of America’s founding continue, the impact of Spain’s contributions will undoubtedly remain a critical aspect of the celebrated narrative.
For more information on DAR’s America 250 initiatives and its genealogical resources, visit www.dar.org/America250.
Topics People & Culture）
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