4 FROM SAVANNA-LA-MAR to Morant Bay, from Above Rocks to Port Maria, as the clock struck midnight on August 5, 1962, the strains of our national anthem were heard for the first time while Union Jacks were lowered and the Jamaican flag unveiled. Ceremonies took place in parish capitals across the island. In many cases, fireworks lit up the skies punctuating the August 6 birth of the Dominion of Jamaica. At the National Stadium, then Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante, decked out in formal wear, presided over what was described as a stirring event. “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. Kingston and all other parish capitals were resplendent with flags and bunting, and many civic and social events took place, including dancing in the streets, maypoles in town squares, jonkonnu, bonfires, float parades overflowing with beauty queens, as well as tree planting and religious ceremonies. Theodore Sealy was appointed chairman of the Independence Committee which was charged with choosing the island’s national symbols, flag, and anthem. Hector Wynter, who, like all sitting Senators at the time, had the opportunity to serve on this committee, remembers that experience as a smooth process in which all were united by enthusiasm. As it turned out, Wynter recalls, “the colour choice and design for the flag proceeded quite smoothly. The only hitch was that our initial design was apparently very similar to that chosen by Tanganyika. So we made our gold saltire cross broader.” Wynter adds, “it may remind you of the Union Jack in design as both have saltire crosses, but our vibrant colours – the gold set against black and green triangles – made it our own.” Our anthem married the words of The birth of Jamaica’s Independence 1962: Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret at Gordon House, reads the Queen’s Speech declaring the opeining of Jamaica’s first Parliament on August 7. FILE MR. G. DECFORD, Embassy Guard of the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington is seen raising the Jamaican Flag at the flag raising ceremony at the opening of the new Chancery at 2129 Leroy Place, N.W. Washington, D.C. on August 6, 1962. Among the spectators are the Ambassadors of Australia, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone; representatives of Embassies, the U. S. Department of State, the Crown Agents, the British Embassy, Jamaican residents in Washington, and members of staff of the Jamaican Embassy. GLEANER PHOTOGRAPH Please see BIRTH, P5 THE WEEKLY GLEANER | JULY 24 - AUGUSt 24, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com
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