Fellow Jamaicans,
On National Heroes Day our nation honours the extraordinary courage and determination of the men and women whose lives helped to shape Jamaica.
National Heroes Day was first celebrated on the 20th October 1969, seven years after Jamaica attained political independence. It was established to honour those whose courage and sacrifice helped to secure the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today.
As we celebrate our National Heroes, let us reflect on their struggles and sacrifices that forged the path to emancipation, decolonization and independence for this nation.
Among these outstanding Jamaicans, the Right Excellent Nanny of the Maroons stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and determination to secure freedom for her people in the 1700’s.
In the 1800’s, three of our National Heroes were martyrs who lost their lives in the name of freedom from oppression. The Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe gave his life in leading the largest organized act of resistance to the pernicious system of slavery. The Right Excellent Paul Bogle led the fight for justice and human dignity in the face of a system of injustice that was oppressing the people. The Right Excellent George William Gordon championed the rights of the poor and dispossessed, standing up for justice when others in his position remained silent and compliant.
In the 1900’s, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey inspired generations to embrace self-belief, self-reliance and pride in their African heritage. The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley helped to lead Jamaica towards universal adult suffrage-the right to vote. And he was the architect of Jamaica’s achievement of political independence, while the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante emerged as a champion of the working class and a central figure in the development of modern Jamaica.
Their paths were different, but they shared a determination to challenge the unacceptable conditions of their time and create a better future for their people. They remind us that resilience is not only the ability to withstand hardship. It is the courage to confront it, the conviction to demand change, and the determination to keep moving forward when the odds appear to be against us. Their legacy is therefore more than chapters in our history books. It is a living guide for how we approach the challenges of our own time.
Their inspiration calls on us to recognize the potential for greatness in ourselves. That greatness is manifest in the teacher who perseveres in difficult conditions to give every child a better chance in life; the nurse who provides compassionate care under adverse circumstances; the farmer who continues to cultivate the land and feed our nation; the public servant who carries out their responsibilities with diligence and integrity; and the volunteer who helps those in their community who are in need of assistance.
Greatness therefore finds expression in different ways. And so does heroism. Bob Marley has become an international icon whose music inspires people around the world in their resistance to oppression and whose message of One Love radiates the ultimate solution to division and conflict in this world. Louise Bennett-Coverley taught us to recognize the power and value of our most fundamental cultural expression, our language, which is such a vital source of our national identity and self-image. I once again call for them to be formally recognized as the National Heroes they are.
As we honour our heroes today, we must ask ourselves an important question. What kind of Jamaica are we building for the next generation?
National pride requires us to take responsibility for being good citizens of our country, to respect one another, and to stand up and protect our critical national institutions from corruption in all its forms.
We must continue to work towards a society in which every Jamaican has a fair opportunity to live with dignity and fulfil their potential. A Jamaica where quality education, decent employment, affordable housing, accessible quality healthcare and public safety are realities for all, rather than aspirations that are only available to a fortunate few.
We will not always agree on the best ways to achieve these objectives, so we must never lose sight of our shared responsibility to the Jamaican people. In a democracy, differences of opinion are natural and necessary. Power must always be tempered by humility and deference to the foundational principles of constitutional governance. The national interest must always be given priority over political interests.
Each generation has been called upon to carry the work of our national heroes forward. Today, we honour them by drawing strength from their examples. We honour them when we stand up for what is right, when we serve our communities, and when we treat other with fairness and respect. We honour them when we refuse to surrender our belief in Jamaica’s potential and our hope for a better tomorrow.
So, let us approach the future with the confidence that, through hard work, integrity, national solidarity and a shared sense of purpose, we will build a truly independent and sovereign Jamaica.
On this National Heroes Day, I extend warm greetings to all Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora. May the courage of our National Heroes continue to inspire us with an enduring sense national pride and commitment to building a brighter future for all our people.
Happy National Heroes Day.
God bless you, and God bless Jamaica, land we love.
