-Nolan Hiott, WRGA-
The delegation from Kumamoto, Japan has more in common with Rome than one would initially think, and that was no better highlighted than during the delegations trip to the Rome History Center.
As we celebrate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted and our nation was founded, Kumamoto celebrates the anniversary of the Satsuma Rebellion. The final and largest armed uprising against a feudal occupied area of Japan. In the Siege of Kumamoto Castle, the final bastion of feudalism in Japan was dismantled and Japan was wholly modernized (1877).
Just as the history of rebellion is strong in Kumamoto, it is also strong in Rome. As Rome was a prominent site during the American Civil War. This shared history was of interest to the delegation and was explored and celebrated at the Rome History Center on Thursday as the delegation from Kumamoto arrived at the Rome History Center with Civil War reenactors present to educate on and present the history of the American Civil War in Rome. A replica cannon representing what was used during the Civil War was posed outside the History Center and was used as a platform to teach the delegation about the nature of the war and its place in Rome’s history. Other weapons from the Civil War were shown and the reenactors went as far as to bake the standard ration of a Civil War soldier, Hard Tack, for the delegation to try and to learn from.
The delegation also toured the museum at the History Center and were toured by the Director of the Rome Area History Center, Selena Tilly. After their tour, they thanked Tilly and presented her with a gift from Kumamoto.
