This week in Christian history: Mayflower Compact signed; Wright brothers’ father born; John Marrant arrives in Canada

Mayflower Compact signed – Nov. 21, 1620

This week marks the anniversary of when the Pilgrims and other settlers agreed to a set of rules known as the Mayflower Compact, in advance of their colonization of America.

Named after the ship that they were on, the compact began with the statement “In the name of God, Amen” and stated that one of the purposes of the colony was “the glory of God” and “advancement of the Christian faith.”

The document is sometimes dated as having been signed on Nov. 11, which reflects the old-style calendar that England used at the time. The Nov. 21 date is what it was on the Gregorian calendar, which existed but was not used in England in 1620.

“The Mayflower Compact was important because it was the first document to establish self-government in the New World. It remained active until 1691 when Plymouth Colony became part of Massachusetts Bay Colony,” explained History.com.

“The Mayflower Compact was an early, successful attempt at democracy and undoubtedly played a role in future colonists seeking permanent independence from British rule and shaping the nation that eventually became the United States of America.”