My fellow Jamaicans, On each National Heroes Day, we focus on and pay tribute to the courageous men and women who shaped our nation's destiny. The principles of unity, social justice and equality underpinned the struggles of our national heroes, and on National Heroes Day we reaffirm our commitment to those everlasting principles. The theme of this year’s celebration is...

My fellow Jamaicans, On August 6, 1962, Jamaica made a bold step. As the Union Jack was lowered and replaced by the Black, Green and Gold, we entered a new chapter in history with the dawn of a new nation. However, it did not start in 1962. The seeds of our independence were sewn much earlier in the 1900’s, when...

Proposed Theme: Jamaica to the World, 62 Years of Records and Achievements Gather together, brothers and sisters, we are independent! Today I have the great honour, of wishing my fellow Jamaican brothers and sisters a very Happy 62nd Independence Day! This year the Olympics coincide with our celebrations. On behalf of all Jamaicans, I take this moment to recognize the...

My Fellow Jamaicans at Home and in the Diaspora, Today, we stand united, not just here at home, but across the globe where our vibrant diaspora proudly gathers to celebrate our Independence. Sixty-two years ago, our forebears embarked on a journey of self-determination and hope, aspiring to create a resilient and strong Jamaica, capable of shaping its destiny with courage...

My fellow Jamaicans, Every year on August 1, we commemorate what many regard as the most significant milestone in our nation's history - Emancipation Day. This day holds profound meaning for us all, as we remember August 1, 1838 as the date which marked the end of a brutal and inhumane period in our history, after centuries of enslavement of...

The Sam Sharpe Rebellion: A Beacon of Resistance Let me tell you a story of how Jamaica changed the world. By 1831, the system of forced labour, mainly through chattel slavery, would have existed in Jamaica and most of the other colonies in the Americas for close to 300 years. Almost all production of value in the colonies, involved the...

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport (MSETT) Honourable Daryl Vaz.