The first European settlement in North America was not at Jamestown I don't believe.

I understand the Spanish (and yes, they are not English!) founded Santa Fe 50 years before the Pilgrim landing at Plymouth rock? I suspect not a lot of Americans are aware of that fact.

(And I always smile when I hear people tell me Christopher Columbus discovered the USA - he never set foot on the place!)

In fact I saw on TV only this week on north eastern Newfoundland that they were celebrating the 1000 year arrival of the Vikings. Many older Canadians may not agree, but Newfie is certainly part of North America. I was there 2 years ago and that ancient settlement is quite real - and quite a tourist attraction.

http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ozstamps//moose.htm

And yes, another 1000 years or so of refinement will hopefully let us have the same deep history as many other still surviving strong cultures .. not just European, but Asian, African, and Middle Eastern etc.



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 07-31-2000).]