As the clock struck midnight on August 5, 1962, at the newly built National Stadium the strains of our national anthem were heard for the first time. The British flag – the Union Jack – was lowered and the Jamaican flag unveiled. Thus it was that on August 6, 1962, Jamaica became an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. Since then, every year on August 6, (previously first Monday in August), Jamaicans celebrate our movement from colonialism to self-government. Jamaica becoming an independent nation now meant that Britain, no longer controlled the affairs of the country. It was now the responsibility of the newly elected Prime Minister Alexander Bustamante.
On that first Independence Day, Kingston and all other parish capitals were stunningly decorated with flags and streamers. Many civic and social events took place, including dancing in the streets, maypoles in town squares, jonkonnu, bonfires, float parades overflowing with beauty queens, as well as tree planting and religious ceremonies. There were treats for the children and the elderly, and commemorative cups and plates were distributed.
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Emancipation celebration was held in remembrance of and thanksgiving for the emancipation of some three quarters of a million enslaved Africans in the British West Indies on August 1, 1838. That first celebration was a day of prayer and thanksgiving. Many of the emancipated Africans went to church services, as the bells rang loud and clear on that first freedom morning. The Anglican Church offered Holy Communion to those in attendance.
Take a look at some of these very intresting facts you may not have known about Jamaica.
