Just yesterday, I found out that today, October 17, is National Heroes’ Day in Jamaica, a public holiday that honors seven national heroes, including scholars, businessmen, leaders, and other individuals that contributed to progress and freedom in Jamaica. I've been visiting Jamaica for over 30 years and never knew about this holiday.
According to Sheldon, my friend and driver, many Jamaicans have the day off from work and flock to the beaches for the holiday. Although banks, schools, and some stores close for the holiday, as a tourist, you would never know it because hotel workers go to work as usual. There definitely was an increased number of Jamaicans enjoying the beach on this beautiful day.
Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica’s first prime minister and founder of the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) is one of the seven heroes recognized.
Another is Paul Bogle, a Jamaican Baptist deacon and activist. He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay protesters, who marched for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica.
Samuel Sharpe was an enslaved Jamaican who was the leader of the 1832 Baptist War slave rebellion in Jamaica. He was proclaimed a National Hero of Jamaica in 1975 and his image is on the $50 Jamaican banknote.
Marcus Garvey, a name familiar to many, was a Jamaican political activist, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator. He was the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.
George William Gordon made the list for his role in politics, and pushing the British government for reforms in education, health, local government, banking, and infrastructure.
Queen Nanny, a woman also known as Nanny of the Maroons, was an 18th-century leader of the Jamaican Maroons. She led a community of formerly enslaved Africans called the Windward Maroons. Her image is placed on the Jamaican $500 note. She is probably my favorite Jamaican hero - I visited her monument in Moore Town in 2020.
Norman Washington Manley, was a scholar, and famous Jamaican lawyer. He was also an advocate of universal suffrage and was appointed as the first premier of Jamaica on August 14, 1959. The beach road in Negril is named after him.
Interestingly, Bob Marley has not been declared a national hero, although it has been proposed.
Thanks for another lesson on national heroes, Katie! Such interesting history.