St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts and Nevis has been celebrating 40th anniversary of the Independence today (September 19, 2023). The Federation has attained its own independence on this day in 1983.
The government of St Kitts and Nevis has declared the public holiday in commemorating the Independence from the UK. Every year, the celebration of the Independence occurs in the country with great lineup of the events.
The government has also celebrated the Independence 40 under the them- “Growing Sustainably, Developing Maturely, Building Resiliency: Independence 40.” The celebration of the Independence was started on September 1, 2023 and run until October15, 2023.
The events such as National Colours Day, National Heroes Days, Cabinet School Visits, Patriotic Day, Diaspora Breakfast, and Caribbean Wellness Week became featured activities of the Independence 40. The celebration of the Independence has also featured National Sneaker Day and Prime Minister’s Lecture series and many more.
Independence History
St Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla were united and came in association with the United Kingdom on February 27, 1967. After joining the West Indies Federation in 1958, St Kitts and Nevis dissolved in 1962. They became an associated state f the United Kingdom in 1967 after which Anguilla seceded in 1980. On September 19, 1983, the country gained Independence.
Name History
St Kitts is the nickname for the saint and it was named after, Saint Christopher. On the other hand, the Nevis gained its name from Christopher Columbus. It was first sighted it in 1493 and named it Nuestra Señora de las Nieves meaning “Our Lady of the Snows” due to the island’s cloud-clapped Nevis Peak resembling the snow-capped mountains from Europe.
Land of Many Firsts
St Kitts has earned its title “The Mother Colony of the West Indies”. It became the first English colony in the Caribbean to get the title. Nevis is the home to the region’s first hotel, The Bath Hotel built in 1778, as well as the Caribbean’s first integrated church, the Cottle Church established in 1824.
Native Son
Known as the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, Nevis has gained its immense popularity. Hamilton is one of the funding fathers of the United States of America. Hamilton grew up in Nevis and shifted to New York to pursue an education.
Guests of the island can tour the historic Hamilton House, neighbouring Museum of Nevis History or bike through the Hamilton Estate plantation.
Sweet as Sugar
St Kitts and Nevis were the richest islands in the West Indies. They produced more than 20 percent of of the British Empire’s entire sugar yield. Ruins of sugar mills still dot the landscape, paying homage to the once-booming trade.
