Belize Raises Flag to Mark 45 Years of Independence

On Sunday night, Belize’s blue, red and white flag was hoisted at the Memorial Park, signaling the country’s 45th anniversary of Independence.  As the clock struck twelve, attention turned to the flagpole as the Belizean flag was raised above Memorial Park as the national anthem played, signalling the start of Independence Day and 45 years since Belize took its place among the world’s sovereign nations.  It was a powerful repeat of the scene witnessed at midnight on September 20, 1981. On that historic night, the British Union Jack was lowered and the Belizean flag was raised for the first time, bringing British colonial rule to an end.  Among those taking part in the first Independence celebrations were Belize’s first Prime Minister, George Price; the country’s first Governor General, Dame Minita Gordon; and Prince Michael of Kent, representing Queen Elizabeth the Second.  This year’s flag-raising ceremony moved away from the usual round of official speeches. Instead, the spotlight remained on Belizean talent, with roughly 90 minutes of music and cultural performances carrying the crowd toward midnight.  Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner was the first official whose arrival was formally announced. He was followed by Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton and other dignitaries.  Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca attended as the official representative of Prime Minister John Briceño. Upon his arrival, he was greeted with the Prime Minister’s Salute. International guests and members of the diplomatic corps were also present for the national celebration.    Forty-five years later, the raising of the flag remains one of the most meaningful moments on Belize’s national calendar, a reminder of the night the country stepped forward under its own name, its own flag and its own destiny.