National Heroes’ Day of Bahamas 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Heroes’ Day of Bahamas is observed annually on the second Monday of October to pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to the progress and advancement of the Bahamas through their personal accomplishments and proactive efforts. It will be observed on October 9 this year. Prior to 2013, National Heroes’ Day of the Bahamas was referred to as Columbus Day and Discovery Day. National Heroes’ Day in the Bahamas typically commences with the presentation of honors to civil service exemplaryes. Following that, the Prime Minister delivers a keynote address in Nassau’s George Street. Despite the fact that the honors and speeches conclude on that day, the celebrations and festivities could continue for an entire week.

The background of National Heroes’ Day of Bahamas

The initial inhabitants to establish settlements in the Bahamas were the Taínos, who arrived via dugout canoes from Hispaniola or Cuba. Following their arrival between 300 and 400 A.D., these individuals colonized the Bahamas. The Lucayan, a Taíno tribe, experienced significant expansion and settled in the south-central region of the Bahamas between 700 and 1500. During the period of initial European contact, the Lucayan people numbered approximately 40,000 individuals.

Christopher Columbus claimed San Salvador, one of the islands in the Bahamas, for Spain in 1492, when he arrived on the island. The Spanish systemically transported nearly the entire Lucayan population from the Bahamas to Hispaniola as labor slaves over the subsequent three decades. After 130 years, when there were no more Lucayans to enslave, the islands were abandoned.

William Sayle, at the helm of a group of puritans and republicans, established a colony in the Bahamas in 1648 after setting sail from Bermuda. This group was in pursuit of economic opportunity and religious and political liberty. The island they settled on is called Eleuthera and bears their name. Nevertheless, as a result of food scarcity and additional adversities, a considerable number of the settlers returned to Bermuda. Other Bermudaan colonists arrived in New Providence in 1666 and supported themselves as seamen.

In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, dismantling and salvaging vessels became the most lucrative occupation for the Bahamians. Some of the most renowned pirates in history resided in Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas. Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Stede Bonnet, and Henry Jennings are some examples. Due to the increase in piracy in the Bahamas, Nassau was sacked by the Spanish, British, and French. Nevertheless, chaos was resolved in 1718 with the appointment of Royal Governor Woodes Rogers by the King of England.

During the 1950s, the Progressive Liberal Party and United Bahamian Party emerged as the inaugural political parties in the Bahamas. The Bahamas successfully attained self-governance in 1964. Sir Lynden O. Pindling was inaugurated as the inaugural black Premier of the Bahamas in 1967. The Bahamas achieved complete independence on July 10, 1973, while continuing to be a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Legislator-General Sir Arthur Foulkes authorized the passage of the measure designating National Heroes’ Day in lieu of Discovery Day in October 2013. This resulted in a change of emphasis from commemorating Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the Bahamas to valuing the contributions of the people to the nation’s progress.

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Activities on National Heroes’ Day of the Bahamas

Explore the Bahamas

This presents an ideal occasion to fulfill your deepest aspiration—an excursion to the Bahamas! Presently is the moment to commence formulating your strategies. Booking sites such as Momondo, Kayak, and Expedia offer incredibly inexpensive Bahamas tickets. For the lowest fares, it is recommended that you schedule your flight at least three months in advance.

Online, join other well-wishers in celebrating.

Were you unable to visit the Bahamas, not to fret. One may continue to partake in the festivities by expressing heartfelt well-wishes to the nation via social media platforms. Share a post on Facebook or Instagram with @opmthebahamas or @VisitTheBahamas, or use a tweet to communicate with them.

Consider preparing a Bahamian dish.

Some of the finest seafood delicacies in the Caribbean are prepared in The Bahamas, including conch salad, rock lobster, cracked conch, and souse. Consult Foursquare or Yelp to locate a Bahamian restaurant in your area.

5 interesting facts about the Bahamas

The Bahamas served as a haven for notorious pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard, in the seventeenth century.

At 663 feet, Dean’s Blue pit on Long Island is the deepest blue pit in the world.

Legal tender features the Nassau Police Marching Band, which is the only marching band in the world to do so.

The archipelago of the Bahamas is located to the north of the Caribbean, not within it.

Out of the total 700 islands that comprise the Bahamas, a mere 30 are inhabited.

NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY OF BAHAMAS DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	October 10	Monday
2023	October 9	Monday
2024	October 14	Monday
2025	October 13	Monday
2026	October 12	Monday