On April 29, 2025, Virginia will celebrate the 418th anniversary of the First Landing, a significant historical event that took place at Cape Henry, where 104 English settlers led by Rev. Robert Hunt dedicated the land to God. This ceremony marked the inception of faith and freedom that would eventually shape the United States. Now, community leaders are mobilizing efforts to ensure that this rich history receives due recognition through a newly proposed specialty license plate.
Don Blake, president of the Virginia Christian Alliance, has dedicated over 15 years to fostering unity among clergy and advocating for family values. He collaborates with organizations like Banners4Freedom to reconnect Virginians with the legacy of the First Landing. “This is about pastors and communities coming together around something that transcends denominations,” Blake stated, highlighting the event’s potential to unite various groups within the state.
The momentum for this initiative gained traction when President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on April 29, 2023, recognizing the anniversary for the first time in over four centuries. Trump emphasized that “a majestic granite cross stands on those same hallowed shores” as a testament to the settlers’ enduring Christian beliefs.
Virginia’s leadership has also played a pivotal role in preserving the memory of the First Landing. In 1997, former Governor George Allen and his wife, Susan, successfully led the renaming of Seashore State Park to First Landing State Park. Subsequent governors have continued this legacy, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin issuing resolutions for First Landing Day in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
National recognition of Cape Henry’s historical significance has also been bolstered by figures such as Glenn Beck, who delivered the keynote address at the 2023 commemoration. His comments, along with those of historian William Federer, reinforced the ongoing relevance of faith in America’s foundational narrative.
Blake’s latest project involves creating a specialty Virginia license plate that pays homage to the First Landing of 1607. Featuring imagery of the Cape Henry Cross, this plate aims to serve as a daily reminder of Virginia’s crucial role in American history. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles requires a minimum of 450 pre-paid applications to advance this initiative. Upon meeting this threshold, the DMV will certify the plate for final approval by the General Assembly.
Working alongside Blake are notable figures such as Donica Hudson, author of the First Landing Declaration of Covenant and Pray America Great, and original First Landing 1607 Project founders Craig Hudgins and Jack Stagman. Their collective efforts are focused on rallying support from Virginians, aiming to achieve this goal ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The proposed First Landing license plate is envisioned not only as a symbol of heritage but also as a catalyst for conversation about faith, freedom, and Virginia’s foundational history. Residents of the Hampton Roads area can participate in this initiative by visiting FirstLanding1607.com to pre-order a plate and add their names to a supporter database.
Blake articulates the broader purpose of this initiative: “This is about passing on to the next generation what was entrusted to us.” As community advocates like Pamela Burnham work to strengthen Virginia’s civic life and heritage, the First Landing license plate stands as an invitation to engage with the enduring legacy of faith and freedom established on Virginia’s shores in 1607.
