September 21st, twenty-six years ago
As Belize prepares to commemorate twenty-six years of Independence, tonight News Five’s Janelle Chanona takes a look at back at the events leading up to September twenty-first 1981.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
In the days before the dawn of Independence, Belize City was filled with anticipation and excitement.
At the Belize International Airport, British soldiers and Belizean dignitaries gathered to welcome Prince Michael of Kent who would represent the Queen at the official ceremonies.
During their visit the royals travelled south to Dangriga and attended mass at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral.
At Belize’s request, the United Kingdom promised to maintain a military presence here. But because a number of Belizeans considered an invasion by Guatemala a very real threat, not everyone was happy about independence, especially then Leader of the Opposition United Democratic Party, Ted Aranda.
Ted Aranda, Former Leader of the Opposition, U.D.P.
“Guatemalans are just one of the problems that we have, the Guerrilla forces of Central America is another. The people of Belize are so polarized, it’s 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 they have never been.”
But George Price remained steadfast in his determination to see Belize become an independent state.
George Price, Former Prime Minister
“I would say the fight against colonialism has ended and the British have done very honourably by carrying out the process of decolonization under the obligations of the charters of the United Nations and for that we thank them.”
“It is not as developed as we would like it but I think we must be realists and we must accept that perhaps much more should have been done but we ourselves have said, ‘Much has been done, but much more has yet to be done’ and we feel that with a state of independence we can do the much more left to be done.”
Thousands gathered in Belmopan as the United Kingdom and Belize formally parted political ways.
Prince Michael of Kent
“It has been the greatest pleasure for us to meet so many Belizeans and to be with you during these historic celebrations. We wish you all possible good fortune, peace and prosperity and we shall follow with interest, the future of Belize.”
And so it came to pass that at midnight on September twentieth, the Union Jack was lowered and the Belize flag was hoisted; the last colony on the Central American mainland was officially an independent country.
Official activities commemorating Independence ended with a parade through the main streets of Belize City, a tradition which continues twenty-six years later with as much festivity and patriotic pride. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
