Barbados Independence Act 1966

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Barbados Independence Act 1966

Parliament of the United Kingdom

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

1966 c. 37
Dates

Royal
Assent

17 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Text of statute as originally enacted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 Kingdom

Before 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.
Today
Barbados' 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 Barbados

The 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 Pledge

I pledge allegiance to my country Barbados
and to my flag,

To uphold and defend their honour,

and by my living to do credit
to my nation, wherever I go.

Barbados Coat of Arms

The 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 need

When this fair land was young
Our brave forefathers sowed the seed
From which our pride is sprung
A pride that makes no wanton boast
Of what it has withstood
That binds our hearts from coast to coast
The pride of nationhood
Chorus
We loyal sons and daughters all
Do hereby make it known
These fields and hills beyond recall
Are now our very own
We write our names on history's page
With expectations great
Strict guardians of our heritage
Firm craftsmen of our fate
The Lord has been the people's guide
For past three hundred years
With him still on the people's side
We have no doubts or fears
Upward and onward we shall go
Inspired, exulting, free

And greater will our nation grow

In strength and unity
Lyrics by: Irving Burgie