Today in History: April 5

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1834, John Pope Hennessy was born in the United Kingdom.

Hennessy served as governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahama islands from 1873 – 1874.

In 1892,  The Bahamas Baptist Union was founded. The church’s website points out that its one hundred and seventeen years of history are marked by a journey of struggle and faith. 

Reverend Garth E. Rolle has served as superintendent since 2021. 

April 5th 1985 – The United States government and Bahamas governments launched operation blue lightning against drug traffickers in the country.

The joint operation resulted in the seizure of 5,500 pounds of cocaine and 34,000 pounds of marijuana, the arrests of 58 individuals, and the confiscation of 25 boats.

Then in 1997, former Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie was elected leader of the progressive liberal party (PLP) in a special convention. 

Christie replaced Lynden Oscar Pindling who had stepped down as leader of the party following their defeat in the March 1997 general elections.

Christie led the party for the next twenty years from 1997 – 2017 and secured two election victories in 2002 and 2012. Christie stepped down as leader after the party’s defeat in the May 2017 general elections. 

 Finally, on this day in 2020, Dr. Judson Frazier Eneas died at the age of 72. The historical society notes his death was due to COVID-19. 

Eneas was a physician and nephrologist. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Cleveland Eneas Sr.