Celebrate Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day on September 5th

Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day – September 5th – Celebrates Citizen Diplomacy with Bell-Ringing  and Unveiling of Historic Marker in Downtown Portsmouth

What:

Thanks to legislation passed in 2010, the state of New Hampshire commemorates Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day on September 5th, the day the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was signed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

When/Where:

Portsmouth celebrates Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day on Thursday, September 5th with the annual bell-ringing at 3:47 pm – the moment the Treaty was signed in 1905 – with the unveiling of the new City of Portsmouth Historic Marker in Market Square. The plaque, which details the Treaty history and the role of local people, is located outside Piscataqua Savings Bank on the site of Judge Calvin Page’s law office.

Piscataqua Savings Bank Executive VP Joan Gile will explain that Page made it possible for both of the delegations to stay at Wentworth By the Sea Hotel, at no cost, for the 30 day duration of their negotiations. He was a pivotal figure in encouraging the citizen diplomacy that Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day commemorates.

In addition to the unveiling, Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spear will read a Governor’s Proclamation and bells are rung statewide, especially where cherry trees are planted as a living memorial to the Treaty.

The bell-ringing commemorating the Treaty signing starts with a US Navy memorial salute at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard followed by a long blast on the Shipyard whistle at 3:47 pm. That is the signal for the bells throughout the Seacoast to ring

Why:

By creating Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day the State Legislature made New Hampshire the only state in the nation to honor its citizens for the active role they played in fostering successful international negotiations. The Governor’s Proclamation of Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day statewide, the bell-ringing, and the new Historic Marker all recognize that New Hampshire’s "citizen diplomacy" -- the involvement of local people – made a difference in 1905 and continues to do so today.

In addition to these commemorations, Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day will be commemorated at the John Paul Jones House Museum with FREE ADMISSION from 3 to 5 pm to the Treaty exhibit there

“An Uncommon Commitment to Peace: Portsmouth Peace Treaty 1905” was created for the 100th anniversary of the Treaty in 2005 this exhibit is based on extensive local research (recognized by the Library of Congress) and tells the story of how local people made a difference in creating the atmosphere for peace that helped resolve the stalemate between the Russian and Japanese negotiators and helped President Theodore Roosevelt win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The commemoration of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty is supported by the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum through the Japan-America Society of NH. To learn more about the Treaty, scheduling an exhibit, NH Humanities Council lecture or other programs, visit www.PortsmouthPeaceTreaty.com or contact Charles Doleac, cdoleac@nhlawfirm.com, 603-436-4010.