The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) stands out, showcasing the diverse artistic talents of Barbadians in music, singing, dance, drama, writing, fine art, photography and arts and crafts. The Bahamas (July 10, 1973): Island Paradise. Independence Day in The Bahamas is a sun-soaked beach celebration. After 146 years of Spanish rule, a large group of British sailors and soldiers landed in the Kingston Harbour on 10 May 1655, during the Anglo-Spanish War. [4] The English, who had set their sights on Jamaica after a disastrous defeat in an earlier attempt to take the island of Hispaniola, marched toward Villa de la Vega, the administrative center of the island. Jamaican Independence Day is a public holiday widely celebrated throughout the country. It is marked with solemn official ceremonies, flag hoisting to the sound of national anthem, parades, folk music and dances, open-air concerts, festivals, and other celebratory activities and events. Jamaica Independence Day is celebrated on August 6 annually. This day became a national celebration in 1962 when Jamaica became independent with full dominion status in the Commonwealth, under a constitution that retained the British monarch as head of state. Jamaican Independence Day: Celebrations and History On August 6, Jamaicans worldwide celebrate Independence Day, marking the island’s full freedom from British rule in 1962. But this day is more than a milestone on a calendar — it’s a powerful symbol of identity, culture, and pride. From historical struggles to vibrant modern-day celebrations, here’s everything you Independence is a public holiday in Jamaica observed on August 6th. If August 6th falls on a Sunday, Independence Day will be observed as a public holiday on Monday August 7th. This holiday is the National Day of Jamaica and celebrates independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1962. Green stone ceremonial axe. From shell midden, Mt Irvine Bay, Tobago, 1957. Human settlement in Trinidad dates back at least 7,000 years. The earliest settlers, termed Archaic or Ortoiroid, are believed to have settled Trinidad and Tobago from modern-day Venezuela from northeastern South America around 4000 BC. The initial plan for political independence in the British West Indies took the form of the West Indian Federation, a political union of islands in the Greater and Lesser Antilles in a single independent state. From 1958 to 1962, Jamaica was one of ten British colonies unified into the Federation from the British Caribbean Federation Act of 1956. It commemorates the Emancipation of the British West Indies in the 1830s and the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. Having been a national holiday under British control, Emancipation Day had stopped being observed as a national holiday in 1962 after independence. [12] Jamaica Independence Day on August 6, 2024, is more than just a national holiday; it’s a celebration of Jamaican identity, resilience, and progress. From the bustling streets of Kingston to the serene beaches of Montego Bay, the island will come alive with the spirit of independence. Jamaica Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on August 6th to commemorate Jamaica’s independence from British colonial rule in 1962. It marks the day when Jamaica became a sovereign nation and established its own government. In 1958, Jamaica, Barbados and the British Windward and Leeward Islands formed the Federation of the West Indies. Trinidad and Tobago became independent on August 31, 1962, three months after the federation collapsed due to the withdrawal of Jamaica as well as Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada Public Holidays 2025. This page contains a national calendar of all 2025 public holidays for Grenada. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates. June 1961 – The first motion specifically seeking a date for Jamaica’s Independence was proposed by L.G. Newland, JLP member in Parliament, who moved to request “Her Majesty’s Government to take the necessary steps to introduce legislation to grant Jamaica Independence on the 23rd May 1962 and to seek admission for Jamaica in the British Commonwealth as a Dominion.” When is the Independence Day of Jamaica? Jamaica, in the Caribbean Sea, celebrates its Independence Day on August 6 each year to commemorate its freedom from British colonial occupation. Nothing beats a day at the waterfall with friends and family on a Jamaican public holiday! Independence Day. Independence Day, celebrated on August 6, marks Jamaica’s liberation from British rule in 1962. This day is filled with national pride, as we celebrate our culture, history, and achievements as a nation. After the collapse of the West Indies Federation, some Eastern Caribbean nations attempted to set up a smaller federation, but this was unsuccessful. Following a referendum, St Vincent and the Grenadines became the last Windward Island to gain independence on 27 October 1979. On August 6th in Jamaica, Independence Day is celebrated as a public holiday each year. This holiday is the National Day of Jamaica and commemorates the country’s independence from Great Britain on this date in 1962. Jamaica Independence Day is celebrated annually on August 6th, and in 2025, it will be observed on a Wednesday. Get ready to feel the vibes of Jamaica Independence Day - with music, food, and celebrations honoring the island's rich history and culture! But what do we mean by “West Indian”? It’s good to know, not just for educational purposes, but also in order to understand the celebration known as the West Indian Day Parade, which takes place each Labor Day in Brooklyn. (In 2021, that means it’s on September 1.) The West Indies includes an extraordinary range of people and places.
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