In the Now – Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Detail of the Gilbert Stuart Williamstown portrait of George Washington.

Good Tuesday morning, New Bern Now readers. Today is the 230th anniversary of George Washington’s visit to New Bern. Here’s your Tuesday morning In the Now.

Today’s Weather

Via National Weather Service

Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday, a slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light south wind becoming southwest 9 to 14 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday night, mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

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Today’s Calendar

Via New Bern Now Calendar

  • 20th: Behind the Scenes: Gardens, 2 – 3 p.m. at the Waystation. Presented by Tryon Palce. Call 252-639-3524.
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    22nd: New Bern Earth Day Celebration, noon – 3 p.m. Presented by New Bern Now. Call 252-259-6853.

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    24th: Stuff The Truck, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Carolina Colours – at the Pavilion Parking Lot. Presented by Habitat for Humanity of Craven County. Call 252-633-5512.

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    24th: History of Ancestors: U.S. Colored Troops 35th Regiment Community Event, noon – 3 p.m. on the Big Field at Craven Terrace. Presented by Tryon Palace. Call 252-639-3592.

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In the News (230 Years Late Edition)

Via North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Washington's Tour: President Washington visited in the Stanly home two nights, April 20-21, 1791.

On April 20, 1791, George Washington visited Tryon Palace in New Bern during his Southern Tour.

In 1791, the federal government was new and so was the presidency. Washington had been elected only two years before in February 1789, and North Carolina had become part of the Union in November of the same year.

Like any political move, the formation of the United States was seen with much skepticism from both citizens and government leaders. Washington’s tour of the Southern states allowed him to explore the nation he led, giving him the opportunity to promote national unity among its people. In his diary, Washington reported details about the geography of the states, exports such as tobacco and the attitudes of the citizens.

Washington’s visit was warmly received by New Bernians. During his two-day stay, the president dined at Tryon Palace and attended a “dancing assembly” with about 70 ladies. He also visited many of New Bern’s well-known citizens including John Wright Stanly, John Sitgreaves and Richard Dobbs Spaight.

Leaving New Bern on April 22, Washington headed south toward Wilmington.

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Today in History

Via North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

A 1585 watercolor of an Algonquin chief by John White
A 1585 watercolor of an Algonquin chief by John White.

Catch Up Edition:

On April 19, 1585, Algonquian Indians Wanchese and Manteo set sail aboard the English vessel The Tyger to return to the Roanoke Island region. The Indians had sailed to England in 1584 with Arthur Barlowe and Thomas Harriot. They caused a sensation when they were presented at the English Court.

While in England they were hosted by Sir Walter Raleigh at the Durham House. There they met with Thomas Harriot and, over the course of several visits, taught him the Algonquian language. Wanchese, unlike Manteo, was not curious to learn English.

Wanchese remained suspicious of English motives and the English in general and eventually thought of himself as a captive rather than a guest. These ill feelings would cause trouble for the colonists once he returned to Roanoke.

The Tyger raided Spanish shipping lines during the voyage to America and forcibly exchanged goods with Spanish traders on Puerto Rico, where the ship waited to reunite with its fleet. From there the vessel continued on to Roanoke, arriving near Ocracoke Inlet in June 1585.

Wanchese slipped away from English control in early July. He urged resistance to the settlers, setting himself at odds with the English and Manteo.

Caught Up Edition:

On April 20, 1971, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in the Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education case, allowing for school desegregation by busing.

In 1965, attorney Julius L. Chambers filed suit on behalf of 10 pairs of African American parents who contended that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education’s assignment plan did not sufficiently eliminate the inequalities of the formerly segregated system. The board tried to redo the assignment plan, but the plaintiffs argued decades of discrimination could only be undone through extensive busing. Federal district court judge James B. McMillan agreed.

Disagreements between the board and McMillan on the specifics of the plan landed the case in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reaffirmed McMillian’s decision with qualifications. The school board and plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously reaffirmed the ruling in April 1971.

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Final Note

Do you or someone you know have an upcoming birthday (April 22 – 29)? Send us your life moments between birth and end of life and we will share them in our new feature, ‘Between the Bridges’.

To get us started, send us your announcements and photos (i.e. engagements, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, death notices, etc.) that happened or are scheduled for April 15 – 29.

We’re also interested in:

  • Nonprofit news and civic fundraisers
  • Memories of places or attractions (i.e. the kicking machine)
  • Local folklore

“Between the Bridges” is a weekly column that will be published every Thursday. Send your announcements via email.