The 400th anniversary celebrations of the founding of New York got off to a spectacular start when a fleet of vessels sailed up the Hudson River. The fleet contained Dutch flatboats, American replicas of historic Dutch ships, Dutch naval frigates, NATO minesweepers and many other vessels.
 
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima watched the spectacle from the USS Intrepid – a US aircraft carrier from the Second World War which is now a museum. They were accompanied by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans. Musical entertainment was provided by the Dutch Royal Marine Band,
 
In September 1609, the English captain Henry Hudson sailed up what is now the Hudson River on an expedition of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). He founded New Amsterdam, whose name was changed to New York when it was seized by British forces.
 
Among the events marking NY 400 week is a theatrical festival on Governor’s Island, off the coast of Manhattan. Dozens of other events have been organised to mark the ties between New York and the Netherlands.