Independence 1981: You are there
With Independence Day now twenty-four years behind us, we’ve got to face the fact that the majority of Belizeans were not yet born on that rainy night in 1981 when the Union Jack was replaced by the flag of Belize. With footage from a British television crew on the scene at the time, we have been able to piece together a narrative of the days leading up to Independence. And while you may have seen it before, it never fails to raise a lump in the throat of those on hand at the time… and maybe those who were not.
Ernesto Vasquez, Narrator
Like any September in Belize, the citizens were on the march, but this year in addition to the Red Cross, the Boys Scouts and friendly societies, there would be soldiers of the British Army. Royalty was arriving… in this case Prince Michael of Kent appointed to represent the Crown in the transition from colony to nation.
In the days prior to the twenty-first, the Prince, accompanied by the Governor and the Premier, toured the country by helicopter. Wherever they stopped entertainment was never far away.
While the people danced, British and Belizean troops kept a careful look out towards the border. Guatemala, alone among the family of nations, had failed to endorse our Independence… as we were reminded by the signs at the border.
But opposition to Independence was not limited to Guatemala. Here in Belize the United Democratic Party boycotted the festivities. Dr. Theodore Aranda was at that time Leader of the Opposition.
Reporter
“Dr. Aranda what is your attitude to Independence?”
Dr. Theodore Aranda, Leader of the Opposition, U.D.P.
“We just won’t have much to do with it at all; we’ll have nothing do with Independence at this moment.”
Reporter
“But you can’t stop it.”
Dr. Theodore Aranda
“We may not be able to stop it, but we just don’t like what’s being done to our country and to our people. Britain is a very powerful nation, so we can’t stop her yes, but we don’t like what’s being done to us.”
Reporter
“So what do you think is going to happen after independence?”
Dr. Theodore Aranda
“Not so much what I think is gonna happen, but what I know is going to happen. Belize is going to be in a heap of trouble, that’s for sure.”
Reporter
“Do you expect the Guatemalans will invade?”
Dr. Theodore Aranda
“Guatemalans are just one of the problems that we have. The guerrilla forces of Central America is another, the people of Belize are so polarised is quite another thing, the economic development of the country is another. So Belize has a lot of problems that should have been solved before now, but have never been.”
Reporter
“The country is going to be independent you cannot stop it, why not join in the celebrations like everybody else?”
Dr. Theodore Aranda
“Our concern goes beyond celebrations; we are more concerned about the security and safety of Belize than we are concerned about the celebrations. If it was just a matter of dancing and jumping all over the street and that solve the problem, yes we would do that. If dancing on the streets would push the Guatemalans away and solve our security problems, we would do that. But it just so happens that that’s not the way things are; that’s not life.”
Reporter
“Do you expect the British not to protect you after Independence?”
Dr. Theodore Aranda
“We know the British won’t do that. They may stay for a couple weeks or a couple of months for that matter, but we don’t expect the British to stay and they won’t…”
Dr. Aranda was soon replaced as Leader of the U.D.P. He went on to form his own party, the Christian Democrats and has recently joined the Opposition People’s United Party.
September 20th, 1981… minutes before midnight.
(British flag is lowered and replaced by the Belizean flag)
George Price, Leader, P.U.P.
“Ladies and gentlemen on your behalf may I offer a toast to Her Majesty the Queen of Belize and the Head of the Commonwealth.”
September 21st, 1981: Independence Day.
That piece was originally put together in September 1987 for the show “Belize All Over.” Narrator was Ernesto Vasquez.
