EVERY citizen must feel a surge of pride.

Those were the words printed on the front page of the Daily Echo on February 11, 1964 when the charter awarding Southampton city status was delivered, ahead of its signing on February 24 that year.

The story accompanying the front page headline “Now it’s the city of Southampton” offered a promise: “Southampton, with roots deep in the history of the land, played a noble part in two world wars, and will wear its new honour well.”

Back then - as it is now - Southampton was described by this newspaper as “Britain’s premier passenger port and a fine and ancient borough”.

The years have rolled by and the city has seen many changes, but it still plays a vital role in commerce and culture on the local, regional, national and world stage.

Today there will be events going on recognising our history, including Saints encouraging fans to hold a minute of applause on the 60th minute of their game at St Mary’s against Millwall.

DP World celebrated the anniversary by spelling out “Southampton 60” with shipping containers at the docks. They said: “As we are proud to be an integral part of the Southampton community we were only too pleased to mark the event.”

We are pausing to celebrate the occasion - and the Lord Mayor of Southampton Cllr Valerie Laurent is right when she says “it’s very important to recognise and celebrate” our history.

But we must also ensure Southampton continues to grow and build on the last 60 years, looking ahead to the next 60.

That there are challenges - the cost of living, a difficult financial situation for our public authorities and many more issues highlighted by readers in these pages - is undeniable.

Yet all of these are tackled more easily when working together - with every Sotonian ensuring their pride in the city is front and centre, with all working for the good of Southampton.

So just as the Echo promised 60 years ago that the city will ‘wear its new honour well’ - and indeed the city has - we must make a new vow: That we’ll continue to make future generations proud to call Southampton their home.