TOMORROW wraps up the one-year period marking the 50th anniversary of Jamaica's Independence. Jamaica50 was well programmed and paid proper tribute and salute to the achievement of five decades of independence. The 2012 celebrations were boosted by the Olympic success of our athletes in London, not to speak of that magnificent Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6. Understandably, nothing can match the excitement of that period when Derrick Morgan summoned us to "Forward March", Al T Joe spelt out the Independence alphabet with his Rise Jamaica Rise, let us celebrate, and Lord Creator had us dancing out of the jukebox and from the bandstands to his Independent Jamaica. Add to that the street merriment, roadside concerts, village festivals, and the bonfires across the countryside that blazed this special moment into our hearts and minds. If the intervening Independence holiday memories should fade away with time, the grand moments to remember of August 1962 should be recaptured and retold every August at this time for the sake of those who came in late. Here goes. A bi-partisan committee headed by Gleaner editor Theodore Sealy and set up first by Norman Manley, premier up to April 1962, then reappointed by Donald Sangster, minister with responsibility for the celebrations under the new Jamaica Labour Party Government, was given the task to lead Jamaica into Independence. Importantly, Manley, no doubt bitterly disappointed at the lost opportunity of captaining the Independence ship of state, nevertheless joined with Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante in enthusiastic participation in all events. The world itself was going independent following the wind of change which had started to blow across the African continent in the 1950s. Ghana in 1957, Nigeria and Cyprus in 1960, Kuwait, Sierra Leone and Tanzania in 1961, and now Jamaica moving onto centre stage as the first among Caribbean colonies, and one of the smallest countries with one of the smallest populations to arrive at nationhood. So as we put the referendum of September 19, 1961 and the general election of April 10, 1962 behind us, we began taking decisions on a new national anthem, national flag, and the adoption of national symbols for Jamaica inclusive of a national song, a national pledge, a national motto, a revised coat of arms, and the national bird, flower, fruit, and tree. By July invitations were going out to heads of state, former governors of Jamaica, international personalities, and international organisations. Excitement mounted as it was announced from Buckingham Palace that Her Royal Highness, the Princess Margaret, sister to Queen Elizabeth II, would open the new parliament to inaugurate the Independence of Jamaica. Fashion statements were being made as people vied to be invited to the banquets and official engagements. The type of dress to be worn was spelt out in an official document which made it plain that at official functions meeting with the Princess Margaret, gentlemen who were to be presented should wear full dress uniform with sword. And ladies to be presented should wear a hat and gloves. So Nathan's, Issa's, and Topper on King Street were crowded, and so were top tailors such as D B Dyer and Herman Farel, while rehearsals for proper curtseying were taking place all over the island. "Ben down lower sah, ben yu back, nobadda ben yu knee, yu haffi learn de rightful way to bow to royalty," teased Louise Bennett. In the meantime the country was dressing up its main town squares with flags, buntings, and the new coat of arms, all in the new colours of black, green and gold, making a lasting impression with lights at night illuminating the decorations for miles around. Plans were announced for a 1,000 village celebration across the island, encompassing every hamlet, district, school, community and town. Sums were provided to stage Independence Day celebrations in true folk form -- the quadrille, the kumina, the ring games, greased pole climbing, cricket matches, domino contests, beach parties, and of course, flag-raising ceremonies. Schoolchildren were to gather at their various schools for a ceremony of tree planting, flag raising, the national anthem, backed up by biscuits, aerated water, ice, and souvenir Independence mugs and ballpoint pens. On August 4 the princess unveiled the Olympic Statue and officially opened the National Stadium. Later that night Jamaica's Bunny Grant defeated Britain's Dave Charnley over 15 bruising rounds at the stadium to win the Empire Lightweight Championship and give Jamaica its first Independence present. On Sunday, August 5 thousands crammed into the seats to enjoy the spectacle of massed bands, combined choirs, music, uniformed groups, the Jamaica Military Band, and marching bands from Jamaica and other countries adding to the air of excitement and anticipation. But the situation was not without its edgy moments. Sangster had shared the concerns of others about turning off the lights at midnight for one minute when the British flag would be lowered to be replaced by the Jamaican flag. But these concerns were to be put to flight with Hugh Shearer, the foreign affairs minister, maintaining that the "Government is depending on the good sense of the people to maintain law and order", while Theodore Sealy said: "To tell you the truth, Mr Sangster, if our nation is afraid to turn off the lights at midnight for one minute, we shouldn't be self-governing at all." Things were to move along smoothly, however, as the clock ticked off the minutes to midnight. At 11:57 pm Premier Bustamante and Governor Sir Kenneth Blackburne moved down to the field in front of two flagpoles, one with the British Union Jack flying, and the other awaiting the Jamaican flag. The Union Jack was slowly lowered to the music of God save the Queen, then a hush as the lights went out and the Jamaican flag raised. When the lights came on 30,000, Jamaicans saw their new flag fluttering in the breeze for the first time, the national anthem was sung, people choked with emotion, tears flowed freely, and the stadium erupted into cheering and applause that extended all over the island as we in the country had also been following the ceremony by radio. The skies above Kingston and major towns were lit up with fireworks, and bonfires on the hills spread the word that we were now independent. It remained now to enjoy the national Independence holiday of August 6. Kingstonians woke up that morning to hear a gun salute from Commonwealth and navy boats in the harbour. Thousands poured out into the streets to celebrate, as we started partying as never before. Float parades wound their way across the hills and valleys of Jamaica, and the 1,000-village celebrations kicked in. There followed the State Ball that night in the ballroom of the newly opened Sheraton Hotel, attended by the Princess Margaret and her husband the Earl of Snowdon, Sir Alexander in his formal evening coat and tails cutting a dashing figure, and the vice-president of the United States Lynden Johnson and his wife Lady Bird. The next day August 7 was the opening of Parliament, an historic occasion instituting Jamaica's new Independence Parliament, with the Constitutional Instruments handed to the Prime Minister by Her Royal Highness. There really has been nothing quite like the wholehearted and enthusiastic response which the entire country gave to the occasion back in '62. It is a spirit that we need to recapture, that first fine careless rapture when our spirits soared and our minds were set free from any political bondage to an outside power. Even as we partied then, we considered what had been, and what could be. "Jamaica start grow beard," said Miss Lou, "A hope we chin can stan' de strain."
Independence Day Messages: Leaders Encourage Jamaicans To Build A Strong Economic Foundation
The country’s leaders have used their Independence Day message to rally Jamaicans to build a strong economic foundation for a prosperous nation.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller pointed to a question posed by Norman Manley in which he asked what the mission of this generation should be.
She pointed to his call for Jamaicans to reconstruct the society so that all can meaningfully participate in the economic life of the nation.
Simpson Miller says every Jamaican must be accorded respect and feel a sense of belonging to the society.
Opposition leader, Andrew Holness, also addressed the economy in his Independence Day message.
He noted that though the country now has an agreement with theInternational Monetary Fund, it is not the cure-all for our economic problems.
Holness says the country will not have a successful economic programme without meaningful structural economic change such as tax reform.
He is urging Jamaicans to renew their commitment to improving the productivity and efficiency of the economy.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen says Jamaicans must believe they are equipped to pursue the bold mission outlined in Vision 2030 of making Jamaica a place where we choose to live, work, raise families and do business.
He notes that while there is some distance between current circumstances and that goal Jamaicans should not be discouraged.
He says, instead, Jamaicans should embrace the many challenges as a call to action and encourage each other to serve to the best of our ability.
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