The Tribune

INDEPENDENCE Day, a music and cultural display and a junkanoo parade called ‘A Nation is Born,’ are featured in part two of our 40 memorable independence moments marking the 40th Anniversary of Independence.

21 Dignitaries from 52 countries attended a formal reception at Government House on July 8, 1973. This dinner was hosted by Prince Charles.

22 The United States President’s Special Representatives at the Independence Celebrations were Mr and Mrs Stanley Scott.

23 The Rev Dr RE Cooper delivered the sermon at the Independence National Day of Prayer and Ecumenical Service on July 8, 1973.

24 Prince Charles laid the cornerstone of the Central Bank on July 9, 1973.

25 On the evening of July 9, 1973, a musical and cultural display entitled “Pages from Bahamian History” was held at Clifford Park. It portrayed Bahamian Heritage through dance and music. The show was co-ordinated and directed by Winston Saunders and Clement Bethel was its artistic and musical director.

26 The Police Force held a display and flag raising ceremony on the evening of July 9 at Clifford Park. Members of the Force marched and did routines enhanced by music. The musical director was Supt Dennis Morgan.

27 One minute to midnight on July 9 the Union Jack was lowered for the last time as the official flag of The Bahamas. One minute after midnight on July 10 a crowd of 50,000 saw the black, turquoise and gold flag of the Bahamas being raised instead of the Union Jack.

28 All civic, cultural and labour organisations within the Bahamas marched in a parade on July 10. The chairman of this event was Rudolph Moultrie.

29 As the Queen’s representative, Prince Charles read a personal message from Her Majesty on Independence Day, July 10, 1973.

30 The Valley Boys were the winners of the $1,000 top prize in the Independence Day Junkanoo Parade. This was one of the highest ever first prize purses given for this traditional Bahamian event. The theme of their costume was “Beautiful Things of the Bahamas”. Their banner read “A Nation is born.”

31 The Independence Fashion Show held on July 14, 1973 was the first evening function of the Independence celebrations.

32 Delta Airlines presented a monument as a gift to the Bahamas. The Monument was placed at the entrance to the newly opened Nassau Botanical Gardens. It is constructed of granite, weighs 4,300 pounds and bears the Bahamas Coat of Arms and Motto.

33 Salathiel Thompson was appointed the first Bahamian Commissioner of Police in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on June 1, 1973. He succeeded John H Hinmarsh 







of Britain.

34 Sir Milo B. Butler became the first Bahamian Governor General on August 1, 1973.

35 Sir Leonard Knowles became the first Bahamian Chief Justice in 1973.

36 The late Dame Dr Doris Johnson was the first woman to be elected President of the Senate.

37 In July, 1973, the Bahamas applied for membership in the United Nations and in September of that year was admitted as the 138th member.

38 Livingston B. Johnson was appointed as the first Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United States and to the United Nations.

39 A political party named The Abaco Independence Movement (AIM) was formed in August 1973. It’s goal was to seek self-determination for Abaco within a federal Bahamas.

40 The Bahamas Hotel Training College (BHTC) was established in 1973, it commenced student enrolment in 1974 for diploma programmes.

• HOW are you celebrating this year’s 40th Anniversary of Independence? Contact our newsdesk with your events by emailing newsroom@tribunemedia.net or by calling 502 2366.