Invitation to hear Ortiz bicentennial plans

Historic City News has received word that on Friday, February 25th, First America Foundation, Inc. will host Juan Jose Ortiz Quevedo, Vice Mayor of Cadiz, Spain, to discuss plans for the 2012 bicentennial celebration of the 1812 Spanish Constitution.

Vice Mayor Ortiz will provide a presentation to the First America Foundation, Inc. Board Directors at 2:30 p.m. at the Casa Monica, located in the historic downtown district at 95 Cordova Street.

The public is welcome to attend and learn about the events occuring in Cadiz, Spain, home of the bicenntenial celebration. One or more members of the St. Augustine City Commission may be in attendance at the presentation.

The 1812 Constitution was Spain’s first, and was penned in the southern city of Cadiz by the Spanish national legislative assembly on March 19, 1812. In August of 1812, all Spanish colonies were ordered to rename their town plazas “La Plaza de la Constitucion” in order to commemorate the 1812 document. This included the Spanish colony of St. Augustine, whose plaza still maintains it’s original title. The Monumento de la Constitucion, commissioned in March of 1812 was completed in 1813 to further commemorate the first democratic constitution.

St Augustine is the only known city to still recognize the Monumento de la Constitucion at it’s historic core, a true testament to the democracy it represents. It is widely regarded as the last monument to Spain’s 1812 Constitution. Restoration of the monument was completed in October of 2008.

“Vice-Mayor Ortiz was invited to attend the City of St. Augusitne’s Noche de Gala event. While he is in town, First America Foundation, Inc. found it would be beneficial to learn more about the celebrations occurring in Spain, and see how our two cities could work together to commemorate the monument,” said Acting Executive Director, Jamie Alvarez. “We’re inviting the public to attend so they, too, can hear and see how our two cities are working together, and how First America Foundation, Inc. is leading this effort.”

Also in attendance will be FAF Honorary Board member and President of the Spain Florida 500 Years Foundation, Mr. Emilio Sanchez.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer