JAMESTOWN, Virginia (AP) — Fond of promoting the endurance of freedom, President Bush on Sunday hailed the nation’s humble beginnings as a reminder that new democracies require huge sacrifice.

“From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long and it’s hard,” Bush said in a ceremony honoring the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony.

“There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way,” Bush said. “Yet we can have confidence in the outcome because we’ve seen freedom’s power to transform societies.”

Bush’s speech came on the final day of the anniversary weekend, the centerpiece of an elaborate 18-month commemoration in the works for a decade.

Virginia has thrown major Jamestown celebrations every 50 years, but this one has given more recognition to three cultures — English, African and Indian — to tell a fuller story. Indians lost their land during the settlement, and Africans were eventually forced into slavery.

“Their story is a part of the story of Jamestown,” Bush said. “It reminds us that the work of American democracy is to constantly renew and to extend the blessings of liberty.”

The Bushes contributed items to a time capsule to be opened at the next grand celebration, in 50 years. They included a letter from them both, a gold coin and items from the queen’s recent visit to the White House.

As the exit music played, Bush did not quite exit. He exuberantly led the orchestra during part of its performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”