National

Today in History: October 29

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1912, George Basil Haddon-Smith was sworn in as governor of The Bahamas.

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2 years ago

October 29, 2024

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George Basil Haddon-Smith Sworn in as Governor of The Bahamas in 1912
On this day in Bahamian history in 1912, George Basil Haddon-Smith was sworn in as governor of The Bahamas.

Haddon-Smith’s career spanned several colonial posts, and he later became governor of the Windward Islands.

Amos Ferguson, Celebrated Bahamian Artist, Born in 1920
Eight years later in 1920, artist Amos Ferguson, known for his vibrant works on Bahamian life and biblical stories, was born in Great Exuma.

A house painter by trade, he began creating art in his 40s, gaining international attention in the 1970s. Ferguson continued to paint even as his eyesight declined, famously saying, “I paint by faith, not by sight.”

He passed away in 2012.

Kofhe Goodman Sentenced for the Murder of Marco Archer in 2013
In 2013, Kofhe Goodman was sentenced to death for the 2011 murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer, shocking the nation and prompting the creation of the Marco Alert system for missing children.

In 2016, his conviction was overturned due to trial issues, but he was reconvicted in 2017 and sentenced to 55 years in 2018.

Nurses Protest Shift System with Walkout in 2018
On October 29, 2018, nearly 500 nurses staged a walkout, protesting a new shift system implemented by the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) that mandated a 40-hour work week.

Nurses described the system as “modern-day slavery,” arguing it disregarded their well-being. The PHA explained that the new policy aimed to establish consistency in hours, but negotiations with the nurses’ union remained tense.

Bahamas Reports New COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in 2020
In 2020, The Bahamas reported 38 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 6,607 confirmed cases since the pandemic began.

Thirty cases were identified in New Providence, four in Grand Bahama, three in Bimini, and one in Exuma. Hospitalizations reached 86, and two additional deaths brought the total death toll to 138.

At that time, 2,168 cases remained active, and 4,257 had recovered.