On October 10th of this year, Flushing will celebrate its 380th anniversary, coinciding with the recent Mid-Autumn Festival. Fu Heming, the head of the Flushing Development Center, announced on October 1st that a series of activities including a parade, fireworks display, and mooncake-eating contest will be held at the Flushing Center on October 10th to celebrate this milestone. This marks the 25th year that the center has celebrated the founding of Flushing.
Flushing is a hub for the Chinese community and serves as the first stop for many new immigrants. Fu Heming pointed out that many people are unaware of Flushing’s “Founding Day,” despite the fact that Flushing was established only 20 years after the city of New York (then known as New Amsterdam). In an effort to educate more immigrants about the history of Flushing, the Flushing Development Center has been holding celebrations for Flushing’s founding since 2001, aiming to raise awareness about Flushing’s historical significance.
In 2001, due to the events of 9/11, the first year’s celebrations were transformed into a memorial procession. Fu Heming expressed gratitude that this tradition has been upheld over the years, stating, “I hope future generations will remember this day, understand the history and historical significance of Flushing, and continue to organize events even when I am no longer here.” His deep attachment to this day was evident in his remarks.
The celebratory activities are characterized by the participation of various ethnic groups, showcasing the inclusive nature of New York City as a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, all coming together to celebrate the town’s founding and the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The schedule includes kite flying from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Kissena Corridor Park, music performances from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, a parade starting at 5:00 pm along Main St. from 38th Ave. to Elder Ave., dance performances at 5:30 pm after the parade at Elder Ave. & Colden St., a mooncake-eating contest at 6:30 pm at Kissena Corridor Park, and fireworks at 8:00 pm at Kissena Park.
In 1625, Dutch colonists established the colonial district of “New Amsterdam” on Manhattan Island. On October 10, 1645, the Dutch settlers founded Flushing, and the “Flushing Charter” issued on that day officially established the settlement, originally named Vlissingen after a Dutch harbor city (anglicized to Flushing).
The “Flushing Charter” contained provisions regarding certain rights of residents, which later served as legal grounds invoked by local residents in disputes over religious freedom.
In 1657, residents of Flushing signed the famous “Flushing Remonstrance,” protesting the suppression of non-Dutch Reformed sects such as the Quakers by Governor Peter Stuyvesant. This document was later regarded as one of the early important texts advocating religious and conscience freedom in the United States, solidifying Flushing’s historical status as a birthplace of American religious freedom.