Next year will officially mark the 500th Anniversary of Bermuda?s discovery by Spanish sea captain Juan De Bermudez, and the Bermuda Government has announced that planning has begun on a series of activities to mark the occasion.

Assistant Cabinet Secretary (Committees), Kenneth Dill, the Quincentennial Committee co-chairman along with Assistant Cabinet Secretary (Civil Service) Judith Hall-Bean, said activities for the celebration will take place on a monthly basis.

He said: ?We believe this is a very significant moment in Bermuda?s history, and we would like to celebrate this event with all of the pomp and ceremony befitting a major anniversary like this.?

A Government committee is seeking participation from the public with the Quincentennial celebrations, and in particular, are inviting as many private sector organisations as possible to join the Government to celebrate 500 years of rich history,. Mr. Dill said.