People in Newham of Jamaican ancestry have a day to celebrate on August 6 – Jamaica Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of independence.

There will be the launch of the ‘Jamaica Independence Festival,’ which showcases a grand parade, traditional music, the World Reggae Dance Final, and other events to celebrate.

Jamaica Independence Day is celebrated on August 6 annually. This day became a national celebration in 1962 when Jamaica became independent with full dominion status in the Commonwealth, under a constitution that retained the British monarch as head of state. The first elected Prime Minister was Alexander Bustamante.

Jamaica’s independence meant that Britain no longer controlled the country’s affairs. Last month the government announced plans to become a republic in 2025, cutting links with the British monarchy.

The country is already autonomous with affairs primarily managed by the Prime Minister and his locally elected cabinet. Furthermore, Jamaica’s independence has meant that they have created their own constitution, symbols, emblems, army, currency, and passports.

Jamaica was one of the first colonies in the so-called ‘new world.’ Jamaica became a Spanish colony in 1509. In May 1655, the British took over the island during the Anglo-Spanish War. In the 1950s, the British Empire broke up; thus, Jamaica took advantage of the situation to make several amendments to its constitution to allow greater self-government and a Prime Minister. In 1958,

In 1962, the ‘Jamaica Labour Party,’ under the leadership of Bustamante, won the elections, which resulted in the passing of the Jamaica Independence Act by the United Kingdom Parliament on July 19, 1962. On August 6, 1962, the British granted them independence, and the Jamaican flag flew for the first time with Bustamante as first Prime Minister and with the new country joining the Commonwealth.

On Saturday 6 August 2022 the Jamaican flag will be raised at The old East Ham Town Hall and Stratford Town Hall in the early part of the morning.

Celebration event details from #jamaica60thindependence

@ eventbrite / shoobs /www.getyourtickets.co.uk

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