Independence Day in T&T: A history of national recognition

Independence Day in T&T can often throw up some surprises, like the occasions of the country’s 40th anniversary and 50th anniversary.

In 2002, as the nation marked its 40th independence anniversary, the late former prime minister, Patrick Manning, announced that the nation’s first leader, Dr Eric Williams, would be awarded the Trinity Cross- then the country’s highest award- posthumously. Manning said then, “It is time to bring about the full force of how indebted this nation is to the original captain of this fleet – the one who originally charted our destiny.”

At the same time, Manning’s administration was considering renaming the country’s highest honour.

In 2008, the award was replaced with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT). In 2012, a newly crowned Olympic champion would be the recipient of the ORTT. On the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, Keshorn Walcott, who had then won Olympic gold in the men’s javelin event at the London Games, was awarded the nation’s highest honour.

The late prime minister George Chambers and labour leader Adrian Cola Rienzi were also given the country’s top honour.

Chambers served as prime minister from 1981 to 1986 after Williams died.

This country will mark its 63rd Independence Day on Sunday.