St. George’s Caye Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Belize

On September 10, Belize celebrates St. George’s Caye Day as a national holiday. This day commemorates a significant victory over the Spanish in 1798. The Battle of St. George’s Caye was a military conflict that occurred from September 3 to 10, 1798, off the coast of British Honduras. Only the last conflict, which occurred on September 10, is commemorated by the holiday’s name. Six times prior to 1779, the Spanish had attempted to expel the colonists. The most recent attempt occurred in 1779. On September 10, 1798, the final Spanish attempt to seize control of the region occurred.

The background of St. George’s Caye Day

On September 10, Belize commemorates a significant historical occasion. This day is St. George’s Caye Day, a holiday commemorating an important naval engagement. The Battle of St. George’s Caye occurred between September 3 and September 10, 1798, off the coast of Belize. During the sixteenth century, the Spanish attempted to dominate the Yucatan coast region, which encompasses modern-day Belize. The Baymen defeated the Spanish Navy in the conflict. Due to a scarcity of natural resources and hostile Indian tribes, they were unable to settle. The first Europeans to colonise were British sailors who were either shipwrecked or had the title ‘Pirate’ on their resumes. In the middle of the 17th century, these Europeans, known at the time as Baymen, began to colonise Belize.

The conflict persisted despite several treaties signed by the Spanish and British that were intended to protect the rights of the Baymen. In the 18th century, the Spanish attempted an assault on the region on September 3, which resulted in a final offensive involving 2,000 troops and more than 30 ships fought between the Spanish and the Baymen. The Baymen won a decisive victory, effectively ending Spanish interest in the region.

In the 1650s, after discovering that they could make a livelihood by cutting and exporting logwood to Europe, Europeans settled in the vicinity of Belize City. This victory has made Belize the only English-speaking country in Central America. In 1862, the United Kingdom formally designated the colony as a British Crown Colony subordinate to Jamaica, naming it British Honduras. St. George’s Caye Day was declared a holiday in 1898, followed by Independence Day 11 days later, which commemorated Belize’s independence from Britain in 1981.

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5 fascinating facts about Belize

Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language; however, many regional languages, including Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan, are recognised.

Belize is the only nation with a nature preserve that contains the world’s only Jaguar Reserve and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife, which is home to other large cats such as pumas.

In towns, villages, and around schools, Belize enforces speed limits with speed bumps as opposed to traffic signals.

The Great Blue Hole is a one-of-a-kind diving site in the centre of an offshore coral atoll that is considered to be among the best in the world.

Belize contains approximately 900 Maya temples.

ST. GEORGE’S CAYE DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	September 10	Sunday
2024	September 10	Tuesday
2025	September 10	Wednesday
2026	September 10	Thursday
2027	September 10	Friday