National Heroes Day in The Bahamas
National Heroes Day is a public holiday observed annually in the Bahamas on the second Monday in October. The purpose of this holiday is to honor the national heroes of the Bahamas.
The Bahamas (Public holiday)This holiday replaced Discovery Day—a holiday that was previously celebrated on the 12th of October and observed the arrival of Christopher Columbus on this date in 1492 and is now seen as a negative event that occurred in the Bahamas. On this public holiday, many businesses and banks are closed for the day, and some people are given the day off.
The History of National Heroes Day in the Bahamas
For a long time, Discovery Day was the holiday observed around the middle of October to celebrate Christopher Columbus making landfall on the islands. Public opinion of that holiday began to change as many people now associate Columbus’ arrival in the Bahamas with a dark time that resulted in the death and enslavement of indigenous peoples.
That is why a concerted effort was made to replace that holiday in 2007 with the passage of the National Heroes Act. However, it would not be until October 2013 that Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes gave consent to the passage of the bill. This is when National Heroes Day became an official public holiday.
Observing National Heroes Day in the Bahamas
On this day, the general public is given the day off, and many government offices, schools, and businesses are closed. It is also a day that falls within National Heroes Week, so there are not only special events held on this day but also throughout the week.
There are cultural events, parades, historical exhibits, and concerts all across the Bahamas on this day. It is also a holiday filled with fun, food, and dancing, as well as some smaller parades.
The Bahamas (Public holiday)
