America's First Salute

Not far from this shore, there was canon fire that marked a changed world.

 

In November 1776 Captain Isaiah Robinson sailed the Continental navy brigantine Andrew Doria to St Eustatius. 

 

St Eustatius is and was a volcanic rock of a Caribbean Island owned by Holland.  And the Doria wasn’t coming for some R&R .  It came to pick up military supplies.  During this time St Eustatius would sell weapons to anyone.  It was one of the few places the rebel colonies could do this kind of shopping, and about half of all weapons the colonist use during the revolutionary war come through St Eustatius.  And they also came with a special delivery for the island’s governor, Johannes de Graaf – a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

 

The Doria was flying the Continental flag, the first flag of the nascent United States of America.

 

As it sailed into the harbor Robertson ordered the customary salute be fired by the Doria, in this case 13-guns, one for each colony.  What happened next was not expected.  de Graaf ordered that Fort Oranje fire an 11-gun salute in return, which at the time was the customary salute rendered to a republic.  

 

This is an extraordinary event!  For the first time the US flag, our rebellion against Great Britain, and our sovereignty itself, is acknowledged by another country.  And this recognition of what would be the most consequential event of the 18th century doesn’t happen in Paris, Philadelphia, or London, but on a small 7 square-mile rock nowhere near the centers of power.  But this small act is a huge step on the way to American independence.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Arlington National Cemetery: Secrets and Stories

Every working day more than twenty Americans who sacrificed for their country are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  On this tour we learn the secrets of Arlington's past and present and the fascinating stories of those buried here. And while Arlington's dead rest in peace, we'll see that they are still always working.  

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Hidden on Capitol Hill

Few people think beyond the Capitol when they think of the Hill. This tour takes you to the heart of a neighborhood with a fascinating history that still speaks to us today. Learn about these famous locations from a former Capitol Hill resident.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Embassy Row: Divinity & Diplomats

Most Embassy Row tours don’t venture far beyond Dupont Circle. But ours does. We see it all from top to bottom. This stretch of Massachusetts Avenue used to be called Millionaires Row where Gilded Age robber-barons built grand mansions. Today those mansions house most of Washington’s embassies, along with private clubs and statues of world heroes such as Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill – and we will be right in the heart of it.

Duration
8 hours
Group Size
1 to 6

Customized Private Tours

There are no limits here! This tour is whatever you want it to be. See the part of Washington, DC you’ve always wanted to with an expert guide who has been in the city for more than thirty years. Our Washington Private Tours are perfect for those looking to learn more about DC in a fun and safe manner. See what you like for however long you like, accompanied by an expert guide!