Today in History: October 2

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history – On October 2nd, 1966, Hurricane Inez affected the northwest Bahama islands.

Affected islands included: Abaco, Bimini, Grand Bahama and New Providence.

Five people died in that storm and damage estimates were $15.5 million.

The storm spawned tornadoes on New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Fast forward to 1980, Reuben Edward Cooper died in New Providence at the age of 67.

Born on June 1st 1913 in Georgetown, Exuma, Cooper was a pastor, theologian, teacher and civil rights activist. In 1940, he organized the Mission Baptist Church and served as its pastor.

When The Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1973 he delivered the sermon at the independence day celebrations.

And in 2009, Clement T. Maynard died at the age of 81.

Maynard was a former member of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas from 1984 to 1992.

Maynard was remembered as “a committed family man, an outstanding churchman, and an exemplary statesman” during state funeral at Christ Church Cathedral.

Then Governor-General Arthur D. Hanna and then Prime Minister Hubert A. Ingraham led official mourners.

And in 2019, then Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis sent a stern warning to illegal migrants after he detailed how much was spent on disaster management following Hurricane Dorian.