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The Treaty of Portsmouth

A centennial celebration was held at the Shipyard on September 5, 2005 to commemorate the signing of the peace treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War.  The events included the planting of a Peace Tree, a garden party, and tours of the treaty rooms.  The treaty was signed on September 5, 1905 after 30 days of negotiations between Russian and Japanese dignitaries inside Building 86.

“On this day 100 years ago, two brave men personifying the spirit of peace, moved forward and signed the Treaty of Portsmouth. After days of stressful deliberation and the tension of debate, their persistent efforts were successfully rewarded,” said Captain Iverson, Shipyard Commander.  “And through the stroke of a pen, a peaceful end was brought to an eighteen-month struggle between the empires of  Russia and Japan,” he said.

The event marked the first time an international peace treaty had been signed on U.S. soil.

Japanese dignitaries attended the celebration including Ryozo Kato, Ambassador of Japan. “We now celebrate the 100th anniversary of the treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War thanks to the goodness of the United States,” he said.

Kato says Japan will continue to remain close with the United States when it comes to fighting the Global War on Terrorism.  The Ambassador also offered his country’s sympathy and help for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The day’s festivities concluded with a 19-gun salute at 3:47 p.m., the time the treaty was signed ending the war between the two empires.