On November 23, 1983, the United States Virgin Islands observed the 250th anniversary of the slave revolt that began in St. John, one of the three most important islands in the archipelago. The revolt was not only a bid for freedom but apparently had some political objectives as well. Therefore the observance was particularly important to Virgin Islanders aspiring to achieve a greater measure of self-government. It was significant also because of St. Johnians' long-standing desire to reclaim their landed heritage which had been alienated from them by the U.S. National Park Service.