National

Today in History: June 26

THE BAHAMAS – William Frederich Haynes-Smith, Dame Marguerite Pindling, and a Rose Island shark attack. See what events took place on this day in history.

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1 year ago

June 26, 2023

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1839, William Frederich Haynes-Smith was born in in England.

Haynes was governor of The Bahama Islands from 1895 to 1898.
The Haynes Library in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, was named in his honour.

It’s the oldest government complex on the island and opened in 1897.

Then on this day in 1932, Dame Marguerite Pindling, the wife of former Prime Minister and ‘Father of our nation’ Lynden Pindling, was born in Long Bay Cay, South Andros.

The historical society notes as his wife, she was very active supporter of his from the time of their marriage when he was campaigning to become a Member of Parliament to the time he retired from politics in 1997.

On March 21, 2007, she was honoured for her contributions by Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II, and was named a Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (DCMG).

She received the honour for community service and her work in charity and politics.

On July 8th, 2014 she was appointed Governor-General of the Bahamas a position she held until June 28th, 2019.

Then fast forward to 2017 – when then Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Fred Mitchell slammed Baha Mar Developer and former CEO Sarkis Izmirlian over his call for the Minnis administration to stop the completion of the sale of Baha Mar.

Mitchell said at the time the developer was acting like a “spoiled sport” and said he hoped the government ignored Izmirlian’s request.

Finally in 2019, a woman died in hospital following a shark attack near Rose Island.

According to police reports the woman was snorkeling in waters near Rose Island shortly after 2:00 P.M. when sharks attacked her. The woman was transported to shore and taken to hospital where police she succumbed to her injuries.