St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline shared details Monday about a recent visit to Washington, D.C., where she and other city officials attended a symposium highlighting Spain’s contributions to the American Revolution.
The two-day event this past weekend was hosted at Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute.
It featured historians and international scholars presenting research on Spain’s role in supporting America’s independence. The symposium drew more than 1,000 attendees, according to organizers.
“It was very educational,” Sikes-Kline said during Monday’s City Commission meeting. “All of the speakers were concerning Spain’s role in the revolution leading up to next year, which is the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.”
Sikes-Kline, along with City Manager David Birchim and Communications Director Melissa Wissel, attended the event, the mayor said at Monday’s City Commission meeting.
They met with Queen Sofía of Spain—whom the mayor described as “lovely”—and also visited with the Spanish ambassador.
“The ambassador accepted our invitation to visit St. Augustine,” Sikes-Kline said. “We asked her if she would come next May during the history festival month. May is historic preservation month in St. Augustine, along with the nation.”
Organizers of the symposium also emphasized the importance of highlighting the contributions of Hispanic ancestors to the founding of the United States.
“We also want today’s Hispanic population to know that their ancestors are also a part of the American Revolution,” said Begonia Santos, president and CEO of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, according to an ABC report.
Sikes-Kline said the city looks forward to potentially welcoming the ambassador next spring.
