Contact: America500 Birthday Organizing Committee

P.O. Box 512 Capitola, CA 95010

By Richard Steltzner

Do you know who named America? Hint: It happened in 1507. It's time to celebrate
knowledge.

The 500th anniversary of the naming of America presents us a key to open the door
to worldwide learning of planet Earth beyond the boundaries of nationalism, race
and religion. History bestows upon us this momentous occasion at the beginning of
the 21st century.

As Riccardo Gaudino, historian for the America500 Birthday Organizing Committee

explains: “America was born in the human spirit of innovation in 1507, when
cartographer Martin Waldseemuller printed the globe map that named America, South
and North, at Ville St. Die, France.”

The designation “America” first appeared on the area we now call Brazil, Uruguay
and Argentina. The name was created to honor the Italian astronomer-navigator
Amerigo Vespucci for his Renaissance conclusions in math that accurately measured
the circumference of the earth.

This first globe map marked a turning point in humanity’s understanding of planet
Earth. It awakened the imagination of Europeans and energized a thirst for
knowledge and exploration.

America500 Birthday celebrates the spirit that made the first map to depict a new
continent and a new ocean, using the then-newest technology of the printing press.
Today, America500 Birthday uses the Internet and celebrations of local history to
champion public awareness of
“Who Named America?”

For the rest of this year and into next, our Organizing Committee encourages local
residents to bring home the spirit of history in their towns and re-awaken our
youth, who no longer turn to astronomy, math, geography, climatology, botany,
global transportation or cultural settlement to understand our world. Yet what
began happening 500 years ago — the movement of goods and people based upon
available resources — is a framework for understanding history.

The America500 Birthday Committee got its start in 2001, inspired by the Milan,
Italy, cartography exhibition “La Terra,” which celebrated new views of “earth
from space” in the 21st century. Upon viewing the exhibit, Gaudino realized that
the 500th anniversary of the naming of America provided a unique opportunity to
reach out and share all of our stories, beginning with the simple question, “Who
Named America?”

The answer expands our identity by unlocking awareness of 500 years of knowledge
in planetary history, not just our national political story. The answer links the
meaning of the word “America” to its origin, both in geography and innovation.
America500 Birthday now includes the people of all the Americas who share a common
experience as natives of, and uprooted strangers in, this land.

Indeed, the words “America” and “birthday” energize residents in each community to
open up their local window to the world, explore their history and animate a
distinct celebration. This year, 100+ communities worldwide have issued
proclamations to champion public awareness of this little known fact of America’s
name.

In the US, a nationwide movement was supported by Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL23),
who introduced H.Res 287 America, named the “Who Named America?” bill that passed
unanimously on July 11.

Now, concerned citizens want improve our knowledge with a “Who Named America?”
airmail stamp for worldwide learning. Germany has already issued the first stamp
commemorating America’s 500th birthday. Countries in the Americas should do the
same. Help bring this goal to reality. Join with US House members Sam Farr (D-
CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY). Please
write to U.S. Postmaster General John E. Potter, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room
10022, Washington DC, 20260 john.e.potter@usps.gov
The author, a Yountville vintner, is the 2007 co-chair for the America500 Birthday
Organizing Committee