National Youth Day in Turks And Caicos Islands
National Youth Day is a holiday observed in Turks and Caicos on the last Friday in September. It celebrates and focuses on the youth of the islands and their future. This holiday is observed across the islands and is a day off for most people.
Turks and Caicos Islands (Public holiday)It is also a day when public schools, government offices, and most businesses are closed. Some of the celebrations that can be anticipated on this holiday include float parades, speeches from the Minister of Education, Youth, and Library Services, poetry recitals, go-cart races, and traditional games. It is a day to honor and celebrate the youth of the country.
The History Of National Youth Day In Turks And Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas and north of Hispaniola. They were originally occupied by the Lucayan and Taino peoples, who were part of Arawakan-speaking indigenous groups in the Caribbean.
They lived on the islands peacefully for hundreds of years before the arrival of European settlers. Although Christopher Columbus sighted the islands in 1492, the islands would not be officially visited by European powers until the 17th century. This is when British colonizers began to settle on the islands.
Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the islands would go through various periods of British control and administration. They were originally part of the British Bahamas colony but would later be placed under the control of the Jamaican colony. Turks and Caicos became a separate crown colony in 1962 and remained under British control.
The islands eventually made progress towards self-government, and in 1976, the first constitution of the country was adopted. Although the exact history behind Turks and Caicos’ National Youth Day is unclear, it most likely drew inspiration from International Youth Day.
The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution 2037 (XX), which endorsed the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect, and Understanding between all Peoples.
This created an atmosphere of development, participation, and peace in the field of youth and inevitably set the stage for International Youth Day — a holiday that was proclaimed in August 2010 when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 64/134.
Observing National Youth Day In Turks And Caicos
As mentioned in our opening paragraph, this holiday is observed in various ways by the people of Turks and Caicos. The day usually begins with a church service, followed by official ceremonies, fairs, and other activities focused on the country’s youth. National Youth Day also features a parade to conclude the festivities.
Turks and Caicos Islands (Public holiday)
