Minister of Tourism David Allen yesterday threw the gauntlet down to the people of Bermuda when he launched the official countdown to the Island's 500th anniversary.

He has challenged everyone to take part in a year-long celebration to mark the quincentennial of the discovery of Bermuda in 2003.

Yesterday, Mr. Allen unveiled a new committee made up of representatives of the community, who will help to organise events and inspire members of the public to play a role.

He said: "The general public is invited to submit to the Quincentennial Committee their own ideas for events that can pack the full 12 months of the Quincentennial year, 2003, from exhibitions to regattas, from school programmes to the performing arts.'' In 1503, it is believed Spanish navigator Juan de Bermudez discovered the Island.

Allen unveils 500th plans The first historical evidence of the Island's existence occurred when the Italian map-maker Peter Martyr published the Legatio Babylonica in 1511 with a map of the Spanish possessions in the just discovered New World. On the map was La Bermuda and the date 1503 inscribed beside it.

It is also known that Juan Bermudez sailed to Bermuda at least on one other, later occasion, in 1515.

Mr. Allen said Government had agreed that 2003 should be observed as a year of significant celebration.

There will be a number of events held throughout the year, but the committee is also discussing whether or not the festivities should be brought to some kind of huge crescendo. At this stage, it is thought many of the activities will happen around spring and autumn when visitors are at their highest.

"This anniversary could well be a way of binding the people of Bermuda together through a common history,'' he added. "It is our intention to also utilise the Quincentennial to promote Bermuda in the African-American tourism market, for example.

"However, equally importantly, the Quincentennial will focus Bermuda and Bermudians on the importance of our own history and culture.

"There is now historical evidence that Juan Bermudez's ship, La Garza , made at least two visits to Bermuda, and that on one of these it had on board 19 African slaves.

"There appears to be no earlier record of African slaves being transported across the Atlantic, although there are theories that Africans crossed the Atlantic in pre-history.'' Anyone who has ideas about how the 500th anniversary can be celebrated should send them by letter to Mr. Allen at the Department of Tourism, Global House, 43 Church Street, Hamilton, HM12.

Members of the committee, chaired by Mr. Allen, are Dr. Edward Harris, Amanda Outerbridge, Lance Furbert, Cornelia Simmons, Patricia Pettit, Cordell Riley, Roslyn O'Brien, Mrs. J.D. Dean, Dr. Clarence Maxwell, Riquette Smith, Sallie Singleton and Susan Devine.