Barbados celebrates 45 years of independence

Barbados was the third Caribbean island from the failed West Indies Federation to gain independence from Britain. On November 30, 1966, Premier Eric Barrow, head of the Democratic Labor Party, led the country into independence and became its first prime minister. As the nation celebrates the 45th anniversary of independence, the National Weekly hails the many achievements and contribution of the Barbadian Diaspora to the region and the world, highlighting the "Unsung Heroes," of those who should never be forgotten.

The Builders of a Nation – The Unsung Heroes

Jamaica celebrated its 49th year of political independence on August 6, 2011. This is the eve of the Golden anniversary, with plans already underway for the grand 50th  anniversary in 2012. 

Some of the plans to commemorate Jamaica’s Golden anniversary of independence will undoubtedly highlight individuals who made outstanding contributions to the country since 1962. However, as a prelude to Jamaica Gold, in commemorating the 49th anniversary, the National Weekly in this special supplement is highlighting several Jamaicans who played significant roles in building the nation since 1962. Some of them are persons who hardly made the headlines, or whose contribution to the nation may have waned as the years passed, or whose achievements may be unknown to second generation Jamaicans. 

There are hundreds of Jamaicans in this category, and for this supplement we have selected only a few who contributed greatly in business, politics, arts and culture,  education, sports, beauty and fashion, entertainment, broadcasting, public service and religion.