25 Must-Know Moments in Caribbean History #11-15
Moment #11
🇬🇾🇧🇧 On January 3, 1969, Shirley Chisholm made history by beginning her first term as the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, after being elected the previous year. Representing her home state of New York, where she was born to Guyanese and Bajan parents, she served the12th District, and was a fierce advocate for civil rights and equal opportunities for all. Her famous slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed,” encapsulated her relentless commitment to speak truth to power, refusing to be silenced or influenced by political establishments.
Chisholm’s legacy continued when, in 1972, she broke barriers once again by becoming the first Black woman to run for a major party’s presidential nomination. Her unapologetic stance and bold leadership challenged a political system that often overlooked marginalized voices, and her impact on U.S. politics remains indelible.
#UnboughtAndUnbossed #CaribbeanHistory #CaribbeanWomensHistory #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #WomenInPolitics
Moment #12
I🇦🇼🇧🇶🇨🇼🇸🇽🇳🇱 On December 15, 1954, the Netherlands Antilles was officially established as a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, comprising the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. This moment marked a pivotal point in Caribbean political history, as the islands were granted a degree of self-governance and moved away from being the Dutch colony of Curaçao and Dependencies .
Similar to the West Indies Federation (1958-1962), the Netherlands Antilles highlighted the complexities of colonial relationships in the Caribbean. Aruba seceded in 1986; the Netherlands Antilles would later dissolve in 2010 with the individual islands reorganizing into new political entities. Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries, joining Aruba. while Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba became special municipalities of the Netherlands.
This moment in Dutch Caribbean history is one to remember as we continue to reevaluate the meaning of freedom, governance, and autonomy in the region,
#CaribbeanHistory #NetherlandsAntilles #PoliticalHistory #CaribbeanPolitics #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #DutchCaribbean
Moment #13
In 1939, Trinidad and Tobago hosted its first-ever Calypso King competition. The inaugural winner, Neville "Growling Tiger" Marcano, captivated audiences with his song "Trade Union (The Labour Situation in Trinidad and Tobago)" showcasing calypso's political and social power as it reflected the labor unrests across the region in the 1930s.
The Calypso King competition, born out of this tradition, became a key platform for the island’s top calypsonians to showcase their talent, artistry, and often their sharp critiques of societal issues. This competition not only elevated the art form but also highlighted the role of music in political and social activism.
In 1970s, the competition was renamed the Calypso Monarch to become more inclusive, opening the doors as female calypsonians started to earn second and third place spots. It would not be until 1978 that Calypso Rose was named the first female Calypso Monarch for her songs "I Thank Thee" and "Her Majesty."
The evolution of this competition mirrors the changing dynamics of Trinidadian society and the growth of Calypso as a global cultural force. Today, the Calypso Monarch is celebrated as one of the premier cultural events of the Caribbean, with its rich history continuing to inspire generations of musicians and activists alike.
#CalypsoKing #CalypsoMonarch #TrinidadAndTobago #CaribbeanCulture #MusicHistory#CulturalLegacy #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #CaribbeanHistory
Moment #14
On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 went into effect, officially ending slavery in the British empire. This moment marked the end of forced labor for Black people in British colonies and the transition to the apprenticeship model which officially ended six years later.
Like Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were finally guaranteed their freedom 2+ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced, Emancipation Day honors Black people's long and continued struggle for equality. Both days commemorate the sacrifices made by generations who fought for freedom and highlight the shared legacy of liberation across the Atlantic and African diaspora.
Be it today on Juneteenth or Emancipation Day in August, we honor those whose struggles paved the way for future generations of our freedom. Today and every day, we celebrate Black freedom and resilience and remember that the fight for human dignity and justice continues.
#EmancipationDay #Juneteenth #CaribbeanHistory #BlackFreedom #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth #BlackHistory
Moment #15
On August 1, 1973, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was officially founded following the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. CARICOM succeeded the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which had been established in 1965 to promote regional trade. As the Caribbean nations sought greater political, economic, and social unity, CARICOM emerged to promote collaborative conomic policies and development planning.
The original members of CARICOM are Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years, the organization has expanded to also include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Montserrat Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname as full members. Overseas territories Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Martinique, and Turks and Caicos Islands are associate members and Aruba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, and Venezuela are observers.
CARICOM's goals include the establishment of a single market and economy, the coordination of foreign policy, the promotion of sustainable development, and the protection of the region's cultural identity.
#CARICOM #CaribbeanCommunity #RegionalIntegration #CaribbeanHistory #TreatyOfChaguaramas #CaribbeanUnity #CaribbeanAmericanHeritageMonth