So each hour's time difference between the ship and the starting point marks a ship's progress of fifteen degrees of longitude to the east or west.

VOA: special.2010.07.14

It is the starting point for state visits complete with red carpets and marching bands.

VOA: standard.2009.04.13

U.S.officials said they were hopeful the 7,000 figure for new allied forces would be just a starting point, and that additional commitments could come as soon as a NATO force-generating meeting set for next week in the Belgian city of Mons.

VOA: standard.2009.12.05