"Jamaica Celebrates" - Remembering 1962 Independence!

by Wellesley
(Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Just before midnight on August 5, 1962, the British Union Jack was lowered and the Jamaican flag raised for the first time, marking Jamaica's independence and the dawn of a new era.

The national parade, flag-raising ceremony and fireworks were held at the National Stadium with the evening's events beginning at 11 p.m.

More than 20,000 people gathered at the venue for the night's celebrations.

At one and a half minutes to midnight, the first verse of the British anthem was played. The lights on the 60-foot pylons were put out and darkness descended upon the arena.

In the hush that followed, the Union Jack, which waved over Jamaica for 307 years, was hauled down.

Then 30 seconds to midnight, the lights came on again and the Jamaican flag was raised to the top of the flagpole.

Then, both verses of the national anthem were played. (Sadeke Brooks, Jamaica Gleaner Reporter, 8/2/09)

Here is an intriguing publication (thanks Brenton), celebrating this huge milestone! http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/support-files/jamaica_1962.pdf

Please share with other Jamaican interests -links below.