A 500th anniversary celebration of the explorations of Giovanni da Verrazzano will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, rain or shine, at the Verrazzano Monument on the Boardwalk at Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. Rehoboth Beach Mayor Stan Mills will open the program with an official proclamation.

The history and placement of the monument on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk will be the subject of remarks by former Delaware State Archivist Russell McCabe. Students from Italian language classes at Cape Henlopen High School will participate by placing a wreath at the monument.