The First Independence Day | What Changed | Trinidad and Tobago Independence Conference 1962 | Programme of Events 1962

| Independence Youth Rally 1962 | Independence Day Address 1962 THE FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Great Britain on August 31st, 1962. At midnight on 30th August, 1962, the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Trinidad and Tobago flag was raised for the first time. Bells tolled and sirens rang out to herald the birth of the newly independent nation. This first Independence Day was marked by more than a week of festivities and events across the country from August 28 to September 05, 1962 (See:Independence Celebrations, 1962 - Progra The First Independence Day | What Changed | Trinidad and Tobago Independence Conference 1962 | Programme of Events 1962 | Independence Youth Rally 1962 | Independence Day Address 1962 THE FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Great Britain on August 31st, 1962. At midnight on 30th August, 1962, the Union Jack (British flag) was lowered and the Trinidad and Tobago flag was raised for the first time. Bells tolled and sirens rang out to herald the birth of the newly independent nation. This first Independence Day was marked by more than a week of festivities and events across the country from August 28 to September 05, 1962 (See:Independence Celebrations, 1962 - Programmes and Events). Several international dignitaries were present for this auspicious occasion including the Queens representative Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal who read the message sent by Queen Elizabeth II, relinquishing her rule. INDEPENDENCE TODAY Today, Independence Day is celebrated with military-style parades held at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain and in Scarborough, Tobago. In Trinidad, the parade is inspected by the Head of State who, from 19621976, was the Governor General (i.e. the Queen's representative in Trinidad and Tobago). When Trinidad and Tobago achieved its status as a Republic in 1976, the President then assumed this role. The Chief Secretary, who is the leader of the Tobago House of Assembly, heads the Tobago parade. After the official activities at the parade grounds, the contingents march through the streets to the accompaniment of live music played by the bands of the various forces (e.g. Police, Fire and Prison bands). Cheering spectators line the parade route creating a carnivallike atmosphere. The evening is usually marked by the presentation of National Awards in a ceremony held at the President's House. These awards, which were first presented in 1969, honour the outstanding achievements of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in various fields. Finally, this day of celebration comes to a close with fireworks displays at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain and the Port Authority Compound, Scarborough Tobago. Thousands of people gather from early in the evening to get a strategic vantage point to view these shows.

mmes and Events). Several international dignitaries were present for this auspicious occasion including the Queens representative Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal who read the message sent by Queen Elizabeth II, relinquishing her rule. INDEPENDENCE TODAY Today, Independence Day is celebrated with military-style parades held at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain and in Scarborough, Tobago. In Trinidad, the parade is inspected by the Head of State who, from 19621976, was the Governor General (i.e. the Queen's representative in Trinidad and Tobago). When Trinidad and Tobago achieved its status as a Republic in 1976, the President then assumed this role. The Chief Secretary, who is the leader of the Tobago House of Assembly, heads the Tobago parade. After the official activities at the parade grounds, the contingents march through the streets to the accompaniment of live music played by the bands of the various forces (e.g. Police, Fire and Prison bands). Cheering spectators line the parade route creating a carnivallike atmosphere. The evening is usually marked by the presentation of National Awards in a ceremony held at the President's House. These awards, which were first presented in 1969, honour the outstanding achievements of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in various fields. Finally, this day of celebration comes to a close with fireworks displays at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain and the Port Authority Compound, Scarborough Tobago. Thousands of people gather from early in the evening to get a strategic vantage point to view these shows.

Day, August 31, 2012, marks the 50th anniversary of Independence of Trinidad and Tobago from Britain. It was after midnight on August 31, 1962, at the front of the Red House in Port-of-Spain, that the Royal Marines band began to play as Britains Union Jack flag was lowered to the sound of The Last Post. On the adjoining flagpole was hoisted the new red, white and black flag while our national anthem played (Forged from the love of Liberty). And thus was announced the newly Independent Trinidad and Tobago to the loud applause of the crowds gathered in Woodford Square, across the street and other vantage points, to the blaring sounds of calypso and steelband music and the crackling of fireworks. It was the beginning of a new dawn and a proud moment in our nations history. But what was the road to Independence like? There must have been significant dates and events and most importantly, people who would have contributed to this achievement. Trinidad and Tobagos history had been one of conquer and colonization with the superpowers of the day fighting at various times for possession of these the southernmost of the Caribbean chain of islands. The original settlers, the Amerindians, were no match for the invading maraudersTobago changed hands among the British, French, and Dutch but eventually ended up in British hands. Trinidad remained under Spanish rule until 1797, and though largely settled by French colonists also ended up, like Tobago, in the hands of the British. The road to independence is linked to the granting of the rights to vote in 1924, the culmination of many cries for the franchise and a petition submitted to the Colonial Office calling for the inclusion of local representatives in the governance of the colony. The continued demands for increased participation in governance and the labour-based Butler riots of 1937 calling for internal self government, led to the British Parliament granting universal adult suffrage to Trinidad and Tobago in 1945. This was limited to persons aged 21 years and over. The evolution of the electoral and governing process was enhanced and refined since that time, due to the struggles of thinkers and labour leaders such as Tubal Uriah Buzz Butler, George Weekes, Adrian Cola Rienzi, Arthur Cipriani, CLR James and the political and leadership skills of Dr Eric Williams, the countrys first chief minister from 1956 to 1959, its first premier from 1959 to 1962, and first prime minister from 1962 to 1981. Self-government was gradually increased between 1946 and 1961 with the elections of those years serving as dress rehearsals for independence. The attempt at Caribbean integration through the concept of a federated region, called the Federation, fell apart in January 1962, leading Dr Eric Williams to make his famous statement: One from ten leaves zero. The Federation, now dissolved, Trinidad and Tobago decided to strive for Independence by taking a delegation to Marlborough House in London to see Reginald Maulding, secretary of State for the Colonies. This delegation comprised of Dr Eric Williams, Dr Rudranath Capildeo, Learie Constantine, Ellis Clarke, Tajmool Hosein, Lionel Seukeran, Peter Farquahar, Stephen Maharaj and Ashford Sinanan. The details of the independence and the new constitution were worked out and August 31, 1962 was declared the day that Trinidad and Tobago would achieve its Independence from Britain. On the day before independence the new prime minister delivered in his speech to the nation, directed to its school children in his now well-known eloquent and charismatic fashion: You carry the future of the country in your schoolbags and Tomorrow, Independence Day, you will be the children of the independent state of Trinidad and Tobago. And in a few years you will be called upon by the law of the land to share in the privileges and responsibilities, the rights and duties of citizens. Trinidad and Tobago has given the world many gifts from its sun drenched tropical shoresthe gift of the steelpan, the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century; our world famous carnival; the music genres of calypso, soca, chutney and chutney soca; the limbo dance; Brian Lara, one of the greatest batsmen the sport of cricket has ever seen; many brilliant minds such as Eric Williams and Rudranath Capildeo, and of course two Miss Universe and one Miss World beauties. Not bad for a tiny nation such as ours, less than 2,000 square miles with a population of just 1.3 million. August 31, 2012, will indeed be a special day for us all to celebrate.