The Moment of Nationhood

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – This 50-year journey for The Bahamas began on Tuesday, July 9th, 1973 on Clifford Park with at least 100,000 eyes watching.

The climax of years of struggle arrived at 11:58 – two minutes to midnight.

The Union Jack, which had flown over The Bahamas for 344 years was ceremoniously lowered from the flagpole.

A nervous silence fell as two police sergeants in charge of flag detail, wrestled with history.

Moments later on July 10th, the new Bahamian flag rose before tens of thousands of Bahamians.

Fifty thousand voices for the first time blared out the stirring words of the national anthem, March On Bahamaland as fireworks lit up the heavens.

Three hundred years of British rule ended as a young Prince Chares, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II looked on. 

Described by one writer /observer as a rare and privileged moment.

By mid-morning on Wednesday, July 10th, thousands of Bahamians returned to Clifford Park. 

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales also read a speech from his mother the Queen and presented Prime Minister Lynden Pindling with the constitutional instruments sealing the Independence of The Bahamas.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas was born.