Antigua & Barbuda Independence Day: November 1, 2009
Independence Day is a Public Holiday in Antigua & Barbuda.
November 1, 2009 Antique and Barbuda Independence Day is celebrated in November 1st every year. This commemorates Antique and Barbuda’s independence from the British in 1981.
Antigua & Barbuda Independence Day History
Celebrating a county’s independence is one of the best celebrations a country can experience. There have been a series of ups and downs in the country’s history – 1981 independence, among other festivals, thriving tourism, damage from Hurricane Luis 1995, 2009 allegations that American Financier Allen Stanford had been running a Ponzi scheme had a major effect o n the country. Antigua and Barbuda is a small island country in the Northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea. The country consists of three islands -Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda with a rough estimate population of around 80,000 inhabitants. The majority of the population are descendants of African slaves who were brought to grow sugarcane and tobacco the island in the colonial era – such as the British in the 17th century. A & B main source of financial stability is tourism, natives are known for their arts & craft making skills.
In 1493, it is said the island of Antigua was sighted by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus and named after a Spanish church in Seville. It wasn’t until 1632 when the British colonized Antigua – Barbuda was colonized 29 years later. In 1967 the three islands of Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda became dependencies, as associated States of the Commonwealth they achieved full independence within the Commonwealth in 1981. After A & B gained its independence in 1981 the country was led by the Bird family. Vere Bird was the country’s first Prime Minister and was succeeded by his son Lester Bird in 1994. Today, many inhabitants of Barbuda, culturally and politically feel they should be independent from Antiguans, only time will tell if this happens.
Antigua & Barbuda Independence Day Customs and Activities
The celebration of Independence Day in Antigua and Barbuda is a festive one – there is an abundance of food fairs, parades, competitions and expos that extend for one week. These celebrations are for all those who happen to be in the area – natives and tourists. Two weeks before Independence Day takes place, local schools, businesses and government buildings are decorated in traditional yellow and red check of National Dress used for clothing. Natives love to celebrate when they can and show their enthusiasm for their small island country proudly.
