Barbados Independence Act 1966

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Barbados Independence Act 1966

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Long titleAn Act to make provision for, and in connection with, the attainment by Barbados of fully responsible status within the Commonwealth.

Chapter1966 c. 37

Dates

Royal Assent17 November 1966

Status: Current legislation

Text of statute as originally enacted

Revised text of statute as amended

The Barbados Independence Act 1966 (c. 37) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted independence to Barbados with effect from 30 November 1966. The Act also provided for the granting of a new constitution to take effect upon independence, which was done by the Barbados Independence Order 1966.

As a result of the Act, Barbados became the fourth English-speaking country in the West Indies to achieve full independence from the United KingdomBefore Barbados' Independence, the island was a British Colony for over 300 years due to the first English settlers in 1625.

During the 1920's Political arousal of the black population became obvious when Charles Duncan O'Neal formed the Democratic League.

In 1938 after the civil disturbances in 1937, the Barbados Progressive League (later becoming the Barbados Labour Party) was formed and Barbados attained full internal self-government in 1961.

The first Premier Grantley Adams (later Knighted to 'Sir') led Barbados into the (10) member West Indian Federation in 1958 until 1962. After the Federation was terminated in 1962, Barbados returned to its former status as a self-government. Failed attempts were made by the Premier Grantley Adams to form another Federation with the Leeward and Windward islands.

Barbados was then led into full Independence on November 30th 1966 by the then Premier Errol Walton Barrow of the Democratic Labour Party (previously the Democratic League), a group which in 1955 broke away from the now Barbados Labour Party. Errol Barrow became the first Prime Minister of Barbados. This date was also St Andrew's Day.

Barbados had now achieved Independence from Britain, but maintained ties to the British monarch, represented in Barbados by the Governor General. Barbados became an independent state within the Commonwealth Nations and continues to have major role in regional cooperation.

On that Proud day of Independence now a National Holiday, the ceremony included the first playing of the National Anthem, the first raising of the National Flag and an elaborate parade.

Since Independence Barbados has been a member of Caricom (previously the Caribbean Free Trade Area), as well as gaining close ties with Third World countries. Barbados now enjoys one of the most stable political and economic environments in the English speaking Countries.

TodayBarbados' Independence is now celebrated with a month of events and activities in the month of November. Celebrations start with a Lighting Ceremony in the city Bridgetown and ends with a beautiful Parade Ceremony at the Garrison Savannah on the actual Independence Day (Nov 30th), where you can see from Cub Scouts to Soldiers and Girl Guides to the Landship, all turned out in there uniforms.

The Barbados Motto: Pride and Industry

The National Flag of BarbadosThe national flag of Barbados is comprised of three equal vertical panels - the centre panel of gold and the outer panels of ultramarine. A broken trident in black is located in the centre of the flag.Blue represents the sea and sky of Barbados, while gold represents the sand of the island's beaches. The symbol at the centre of the flag represents the Trident of the mythical sea god, Neptune - the shaft of the trident is broken symbolising Barbados' break from Britain.

Some rules concerning the display of the National Flag of Barbados* The National Flag should be flown every day from the Public Buildings, Trafalgar Square, from 6:00am to 6:00pm. It may also be flown daily from government buildings and schools when they are in session, and places of business. The National Flag should not be flown after 6:00pm except inside a building.

* The National Flag is flown at half-mast in mourning. The decision on the occasions on which the flag should be flown at half-mast rest with the Cabinet (Government).

* The flag should never be flown with the trident inverted except as a sign of distress.

* The flag when on display should not be allowed to touch anything beneath it - floors, furniture, trees, plants, buildings, vehicles, water, etc.

Barbados National PledgeI pledge allegiance to my country Barbadosand to my flag,To uphold and defend their honour,and by my living to do creditto my nation, wherever I go.

Barbados Coat of ArmsThe Grant of Arms conveyed by royal warrant was presented to the President of the Senate by Her Majesty the Queen in 1966 - the year Barbados gained independence from Britain. The Golden Shield carries two Pride of Barbados flowers (the National Flower) and the Bearded Fig Tree (after which Barbados is named). The shield is supported by a dolphin (symbolic of the fishing industry) and by a pelican (after a small island called Pelican Island which existed off Barbados).

Above the shield is a helmet and mantling and above is a hand of a Barbadian holding two crossed pieces of sugarcane (symbolic of the Barbados sugar industry). The cross formed by the cane is a reference to the cross on which St.Andrew was crucified - Barbados' Independence Day is celebrated on November 30th, Saint Andrews Day.

In plenty and in time of needWhen this fair land was youngOur brave forefathers sowed the seedFrom which our pride is sprungA pride that makes no wanton boastOf what it has withstoodThat binds our hearts from coast to coastThe pride of nationhood

ChorusWe loyal sons and daughters allDo hereby make it knownThese fields and hills beyond recallAre now our very ownWe write our names on history's pageWith expectations greatStrict guardians of our heritageFirm craftsmen of our fate

The Lord has been the people's guideFor past three hundred yearsWith him still on the people's sideWe have no doubts or fearsUpward and onward we shall goInspired, exulting, freeAnd greater will our nation growIn strength and unity

Lyrics by: Irving Burgie