The Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620, carrying a group of English Pilgrims fleeing religious persecution. This event marked the establishment of one of the first successful European settlements in New England, where the Pilgrims sought to create a community based on their religious beliefs. The landing, coupled with the signing of the Mayflower Compact, emphasized self-governance and democratic principles, laying the groundwork for future colonies and American democratic ideals. Plymouth would become integral to American history, symbolizing the pursuit of freedom and the complexities of cultural encounters in the New World.