See the Antigua National Day on here. This country is made up of two islands in the West Indies. English is the official language. The Antigua and Barbuda National Day is celebrated annually on the 1st November. The day marks the anniversary of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.
Antigua National Day
The independence movement started in the 1940s, with local leaders started advocating for greater self-rule and eventual independence from British colonial rule. Then in 1967 the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) won the general election. With its leader, Vere Cornwall Bird who became the first Chief Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. The ALP government continued to push for greater autonomy from the British and more self-rule. Then in 1976, the country became an associated state of Great Britain.
By 1980 the country’s Constitution was amended. This allowed for full independence from Great Britain the following year. So on the 1st November 1981 Antigua and Barbuda became an independent nation, with Vere Cornwall Bird serving as the country’s first prime minister.
Firstly there had also been heros in the country. There was Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. who was the first prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda and played a crucial role in the country’s independence from British colonial rule. There is also Sir George Walter who was a politician and trade union leader who played a crucial role in the country’s struggle for independence and social justice.
The celebrations typically include parades, cultural displays, and flag-raising ceremonies. There are also usually speeches given by government officials, as well as live music and entertainment.
See also the Aruba National Day as well as the National Day of Bahamas.
Public Holidays in Antigua
Antigua celebrates several public holidays throughout the year, including:
- New Year’s Day – January 1st
- Good Friday – the Friday before Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Sunday
- Labour Day – May 1st
- Whit Monday – 7th Monday after Easter Sunday
- Antigua and Barbuda Day – June 1st
- Carnival Monday – Monday before the first Tuesday in August
- Carnival Tuesday – first Tuesday in August
- Independence Day – November 1st
- Christmas Day – December 25th
- Boxing Day – December 26th
Note that if any of the public holidays fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually observe.
