Belmopan celebrates founding

The nation’s capital celebrated Belmopan Day on Sunday by honoring citizens who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Senior Minister George Price inspected a B.D.F. honor guard and participated in a tree planting ceremony. The Senior Minister said the need for an inland capital was recognized even before Hurricane Hattie struck Belize City.

George Price, Senior Minister

“It was in the manifesto of the People’s United Party of that year and the manifesto took the P.U.P. to victory in 1961 and 7 months after Hurricane Hattie struck and wrecked Belize City. It emphasized what the P.U.P. was saying. There is need for a safe place for the heart of government. Hurricane Hattie brought a tidal wave of 15 feet high and winds in gusts of over 200 miles per hour. So we had the go ahead by nature’s incident of the hurricane.”

Area Representative Agripino Cawich also addressed the gathering at Independence Park.