Today In History: April 7th

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – ON THIS DAY IN BAHAMIAN HISTORY,

IN 1852
William Grey-Wilson was born in Kent, England.

He served as Governor of The Bahamas from 1904 to 1912 — a period marked by modernization.

Under his leadership, the first car arrived in 1905, imported by U.S. Vice-Consul Henry Mostyn. And by 1908, eight cars were on the roads, including one he owned.

That year, the Motor Car Act set the minimum driving age at 17 and introduced car and driver licenses.

He unveiled the Queen Victoria statue in Parliament Square on Empire Day, 1905.

And Wilson City, Abaco, was named in his honor after he granted a timber license to a U.S. company in 1906.

IN 1937
Saw the birth of former Governor General Cornelius A. Smith.

Smith — who was born in North Long Island — was a civil rights activist turned politician, who helped found the Free National Movement in the 1970s.

He served as MP for Marco City from 1982–2002 and held ministerial posts in Education, Tourism, Public Safety, Transport, and Immigration.

Smith was named Deputy Governor General in 2018 and became the 11th Governor General on June 28th, 2019.

He demitted office on August 31st, 2023.

IN 1975
The National Insurance Board began offering sickness benefits — expanding its role in supporting the health and welfare of Bahamians.

AND IN 2020
Health officials reported the sixth COVID-19 death in The Bahamas. At the time, there were 36 active cases and 5 recoveries