Today in History: August 17

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THE BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history – In 1937, Ronald “Ronnie” Butler was born in Nassau.

A local and international entertainer, recording artist, singer, songwriter and club owner, Butler’s career spanned over six decades. He was considered one of the foremost proponents and innovators of Bahamian music performing in genres of Calypso, Goombay and Rake n’ Scrape.

Some of his most well known hits are: “Burma Road”, “Crow Calypso”, “Bahama Rock”, and “Who Put Da Peppa in Da Vaseline”. His song “Married Man”, was featured in the film “Why Did I Get Married, Too?” In 2003 he was made a member of the order of the British Empire (MBE). Butler died November 19th, 2017. He was 80 years old.

Then fast forward to 2020 when a consultant in the Accident and Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital said the facility was on the brink of collapse as the country was facing a second wave in the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

This as public health care workers not backing down 6 days into a sickout. Around 300 employees at PMH, Sandilands Rehabilitation Center, and Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama, called in sick. Bahamas Public Services Union President Kimsely Ferguson saying at the time that any action taken was not sanctioned by the union. The sickout was due to an uproar over honorarium payments.

And finally in 2022 – tributes poured in for 21-year-old Omar Davis Jr. whose tragic death the day before sent shockwaves throughout the community. Davis’ decomposing body was found in a car trunk behind the Centerville Food Store. Among those remembering his life Prime Minister Philip Davis and former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis.