This year (on August 6, 2012) Jamaicans all over the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our nation’s independence. We at the Jamaica Tourist Board invite you to celebrate with us, as we recognize this truly significant moment in our history. Join us each week as we count down the top authentically Jamaican things to do, eat and experience in over 50 categories during Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.

Jamaica’s Independence

As the British Union Jack was lowered and the Black Green and Gold rose for the first time, Jamaicans embraced a new reality: independence. For the first time, with an overwhelming sense of pride, Jamaicans took hold of their own destiny in the Land of Wood and Water. As dawn peeked over the horizon on August 6, 1962 it was apparent that a new age had begun.
From Morant Point to Negril many can recall the exuberant wave of national pride that swept around the island.

“The entire evening was just tremendous,” says statesman Hector Wynter, enthusiastically recounting the shared excitement and delight that reverberated through the packed Stadium where over 20,000 people proudly joined in the celebration of movement from colonialism to self-government.” (Tortello, Jamaica Gleaner-Pieces of the Past)

( via Varun Baker )

Flags and bunting dressed the streets of parish capitals while fireworks lit up the night sky. Lining the streets were persons dressed in the colours of the Jamaica flag. Jamaica also unveiled its new national symbols: the Lignum Vitae, “Doctor- Bird”, Blue Mahoe and the Ackee.

Adding to the list of the festivities’ memorable moments were the resounding words of Jamaica’s first Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante. At the opening of Jamaica’s parliament on August 7, 1962 Prime Minister Bustamante addressed the nation with this call to action:

“Independence means the opportunity for us to frame our own destiny and the need for us to rely on ourselves in so doing. It does not mean a license to do as we would like. It means work and law and order-Let us resolve to build a Jamaica which will last and of which we and generations to come will be proud, remembering that especially at this time the eyes of the world are upon us.”

Words not just remembered but revered to this day are those of the National Anthem. This prayer, written by Reverend Hugh Sherlock and sung by Jamaicans around the world, encapsulates the heart of Jamaicans for Jamaica, then and now.

Eternal Father, bless our land.
Guard us with thy mighty hand
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our guide through countless hours
Through our leaders, great defender
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica land we love.

Teach us true respect for all
Stir response to duty’s call
Strengthen us, the weak to cherish
Give us wisdom lest we perish
Knowledge send us, Heavenly Father
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth be ours forever
Jamaica, land we love

The Reggae Boyz 1998 World Cup Qualification

Black, green and gold never looked better than when worn on the backs, wrists, shoes and cars of Jamaicans as far as the eye could see when the Reggae Boyz qualified for the 1998 World Cup. After several notable entries and defeats, the Reggae Boyz ‘Road to France’ halted time in the nation as every eye and ear was turned to this monumental achievement.

Jamaica’s involvement in regional and international football began long before, the first event having been the 2nd Central American and Caribbean Games in Havana Cuba in 1930. In the 1960’s, Jamaica entered the World Cup Eliminations, playing in a memorable match at the National Stadium that showed the potential of a resilient team who lost proudly to football champions Mexico 2-3.

1994 saw Jamaica’s second consecutive entry into World Cup Eliminations for the first time since 1970, making it past the first round for the first time since 1966. The First Round looked favourable, with all matches against Puerto Rico and Trinidad moving in favour of the Boyz. The Second Round came crumbling however when despite successful matches against Canada and Bermuda, El Salvador took the victory with nil-2 and 1-2 matches.

The Reggae Boyz came back harder in 1994 after the training and leadership of dynamic football duo technical director Rene Simoes from Brazil and President of the Jamaica Football Federation Captain Horace Burrell. Finally making it past the second round the Reggae Boyz were placed in Group H to contend with Argentina, Croatia and Japan for the title. The first two games were a challenge: Croatia beat the Boyz 3 to 1 and Argentina won by 5 points to nil. The crowning moment of Jamaica’s Road to France came however when Theodore Whitmore scored the two defeating goals against Japan in the final Group H match that placed Jamaica as 22nd out of 32 teams. Jamaica was the first English speaking country in the Caribbean to qualify for the World Cup.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 6th, 2012 at 3:56 pm and is filed under News & Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.