Home  News Regional News Trinidad & Tobago celebrates 46 years
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Trinidad & Tobago celebrates 46 years |
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Monday, 01 September 2008 |
MESSAGE OF CELEBRATION ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO FROM THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO TO THE DIASPORA OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO IN THE UNITED STATES
 On this occasion of the Forty-Six Anniversary of the Independence of
the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, we extend warmest greetings to all
in the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora in the United States.
This important landmark in our path towards continuous development and
improvement of Trinidad and Tobago should be commemorated by a sense of
optimism about the future as well as a sense of pride of what Trinidad
and Tobago has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in times to
come. Our current development thrust is targeted towards Trinidad and
Tobago becoming a developed country by the year 2020.
The Diaspora shares in this pride as it continues play an important
role in the development of our Nation. The Diaspora has contributed
significantly our growth by proudly flying the colors of Trinidad and
Tobago, and by their extraordinary achievements in every aspect of life
in the United States of America.
The Consulate General wishes to extend its sincerest congratulations to the Diaspora on this occasion.
The Hon. Gerard Greene
Consul General
Trini Carnival: none quite like it
 There is none quite like it. Many have tried and as many have fallen short. When it comes to Carnival you have to ask the Trini people how it’s done.
This colorful, energetic and fun-filled display of hedonistic pleasure is the highpoint of Trinidad’s yearly activities. Bands and costume designers spend much of the year preparing for this 5-day ritual which culminates into a spectacle of world renown.
Trini Carnival involves, of course, the steelpan, calypso, soca and playing mas. When these factors collide along with the brilliant, colorful and exquisitely intricate costumes in Port-of-Spain, it is nothing less than an elaborate display which is known and envied the world over. Carnival highlights the indomitable spirit of this cosmopolitan nation which boasts the African, the East Indian, the Chinese, the Latinos and many other ethnic groups who come together and come alive to celebrate. The togetherness of Carnival speaks to the country’s motto, "Together we Aspire, Together we Achieve." And Trinidad and Tobago has achieved so much through this event over the years. But in the midst of this togetherness, comes the competitions which are perhaps the fiercest in the world.
Making a mark on the Olympics
 Born June 7, 1985 of parents Ruthven and Judith Thompson, Richard Thompson is a true son of the soil who represents his country Trinidad & Tobago’s on the track. The Trini sprint king celebrated his win of the silver medal in the hotly contested Olympics 100m sprint recently in Beijing. He also copped silver as part of the T&T 4x100m team. Thompson, a student at Louisiana State University, is said to be “arguably the greatest sprinter to ever wear the LSU uniform after dominating the sport of collegiate track and field during his senior season in 2008.” He won both the 100m and 60m dashes in the NCAA Championships and the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2008 respectively and is the only collegiate athlete to do it since US’s Justin Gatlin in 2002.
Soca Warriors
With a burst of National Pride Trinidad & Tobago celebrated their National Football Team, The Soca Warriors’ first ever qualification for the 2006 World Cup Football Competition in Germany. With a population of approx. 1.3 million, Trinidad & Tobago became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup.
Oil Rich
 Trinidad began its offshore drilling in the 1950’s and by 1999, 18 international companies were involved in its oil and gas exploration and production. However, the state-owned Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin) did the extraction and refining at its refinery at Pointe-á-Pierre. Since its inception, Petroleum has been the dominant factor in its economy. Though Trinidad is not the only Caribbean country with oil and natural gas reserves (Barbados and Cuba as well) it is the only significant exporter.
The country has also become one of the major natural gas development centers in the world. It is projected that natural gas will surpass oil as the main revenue earner for the country in the near future.
Choc’late Allen: Child Activist
 One of Trinidad’s treasures child activist Choc'late Allen. Born in 1993, this Trinidadian is already making her mark on the world, not necessarily as an entertainer or athlete, but as a humanitarian. She first gained recognition in 2007 when she staged a 5-day fast in an attempt to appeal to people to bring an end to criminal activity in her country. At such a young age, she is CEO of Caribbean Vizion, a not-for-profit youth organization. This year Allen began her singing career with a bang at the 15th staging of Rebel Salute in Jamaica and has had support from the likes of Rita Marley, widow of reggae Legend Bob Marley. She also launched the ‘Taking Personal Responsibility’ movement and has the support of UN agencies to carry out her work. The good book says a child shall lead them and Choc’late Allen has taken the lead.
The Steel Pan
When colonialists outlawed the use of drums, an intrinsic part of African culture and communication, in Trinidad in 1883, they made real, the adage, “necessity is the mother of invention”. It began with using sticks, called Tamboo Bamboo to make music, but this was not enough for a people whose drumbeat, like their heart, was the center of their existence. This too was outlawed eventually, giving way to, in the 1930’s, the use of biscuit tins. But it was 1938 that the Steel Pan was born, the first, being an empty biscuit container.
This instrument has evolved leaps and bounds over the years, and during the WW II there were plenty oil drums between the oil industry and the US naval base. These became the material for Steel Drums. The 1960’s was the definitely the coming of age of the Steel Drum in Trinidad, and the instrument played an integral part in the 1962 Independence celebration. As proud creators of the Steel Pan, Trinis should take pride in being at the helm of one of the few acoustic instruments to be invented in the 20th century.
Beauty
 Trinidad & Tobago is known for beautiful women, and on the world stage, they have proven just that. In 1977, Janelle "Penny" Commissiong from Port of Spain became the first person from Trinidad and Tobago to cop the top spot on the Miss Universe stage and the first woman of predominantly African descent to win the pageant! She was crowned in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The beauty received the Trinity Cross, Trinidad’s highest honor in 1977. She also graced three postage stamps. But she is not the only beauty crowned Miss Universe for Trinidad; Wendy Fitzwilliam also took the title in 1998.
Brian Lara – Cricketer Extraordinaire
The word Cricket, as it pertains to Trinidad and arguably the West Indies, is synonymous with  Brian Lara, who is dubbed the ‘The Prince of Port-of-Spain’. Though now retired, his legend is alive as a record-breaking cricketer and one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen. Having topped the Test batting rankings many times and having two of the most prestigious world records for batting in Tests, Lara has proved to the world his prowess as a cricketer. But he sits on top with the highest individual innings and the all-time leading run score. The Prince was an integral member of the West Indies cricket team where he made his mark on the world. Lara served as captain of the team from 1998 to 1999 and later captained in 2003 and in 2006, as well.
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