In preparation for my upcoming trip to the Netherlands, I attended a travelogue through the country.  Magnificent.  The film-maker, Sandy Mortimer, gave a short talk on why she was inspired to create the film.  It would seem that in the New York State Public Library there exists a secret 8th floor.  The elevator skips the 8th floor purposefully.  On this floor is contained numerous ancient volumes written by and about the Old Dutch Republic. 

As all these tomes are written in Old Dutch, there was no man alive who could translate what they recorded.  Until 30 years ago.  This is when Charles Gehring was recruited to undertake the project.  He had just received his Doctorate in Old Dutch studies. 

I have always been taught, as are modern schoolchildren, that our American Nation started with the 13 British Colonies.  This is not the truth.  You see, history belongs to the victors.  When the English took over the area we now call New York, the truth of the original Dutch colony, New Amsterdam, was rewritten.  It was hidden until Mr. Gehring began the work of translating the Old Dutch volumes into English. 

Russell Shorto, after spending two years with Mr. Gehring, has written a book entitled The Island at the Center of the World.  Within the book he records the truth of the original Dutch Republic. 

This is where our American Nation has its roots.  It is a most interesting read.  The Dutch have been extremely important to the founding of this American Nation.  It does not have its origins in the English Colonies.  This was once a Dutch Republic where only 50% of the citizenry were Dutch.  The other 50% were of other Nationalities, to include Native American (Indian).  And they made an attempt to live in harmony.  They lived in tolerance and in freedom.