Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Great Britain on August 31st, 1962. The Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Trinidad and Tobago flag was raised for the first time. Bells tolled and sirens rang out to herald the birth of the newly independent nation. This first Independence Day was marked by more than a week of festivities and events across the country from August 28 to September 05 of 1962. Several international dignitaries were present for this auspicious occasion including the Queen’s representative Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal who read the message sent by Queen Elizabeth II, relinquishing her rule.
Facts about Trinidad And Tobago Independence
The first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago was Eric Williams of the People’s National Movement. He was a noted historian and intellectual widely regarded as The Father of The Nation. Williams became the Prime Minister in 1962 and served until 1981.
Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of steelpan (a musical instrument) and the limbo. It is also the birthplace of music styles such as calypso, soca, rapso, parang, and chutney.
Democracy means the protection of the weak against the strong. Democracy means the obligation of the minority to recognise the right of the majority. Democracy means responsibility of the Government to its citizens, the protection of the citizens from the exercise of arbitrary power and the violation of human freedoms and individual rights. Democracy means freedom of worship for all and the subordination of the right of any race to the overriding right of the human race. Democracy means freedom of expression and assemble of organization. All that is Democracy. All that is our Democracy, to which I call upon all citizens to dedicate themselves on this our Independence Day. This is what I meant when I gave the Nation its slogan for all time: Discipline, Production, Tolerance - Prime Minister Eric Williams, Independence Day Address 1962
The independence marks the end of approximately 150 years of British rule, which began in 1814, after the Treaty of Paris. Independence allowed Trinidad and Tobago to establish its own culture, a mix of African, Indian, European, and local Amerindian influences.
The first decade after independence was marked by economic boom due to the prosperity of the oil industry.
Trinidad and Tobago was the first English-speaking country in the West Indies to gain independence.
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