Today in History: August 10

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history – In 1974, a news article from the Tribune about an enduring legacy by a man who once lived in an Abaco cave.

A statue about this legacy was unveiled the next day in Rawson Square that was made by a Canadian professor in Abaco.

Then fast forward to 2016 when the first reported case of the zika virus was confirmed in The Bahamas.

During a press conference at the Ministry of Health, officials reported a man who recently traveled to Jamaica had contracted the virus. Officials said the man had tested positive the day before.

Immediate measures were taken as officials ordered fogging in several areas to prevent a possible spread.

The Bahamas first confirmed case came one day after confirmed cases in the Cayman Islands and Miami, Florida.

Then in 2018, Stephen Isaacs was sworn in as chief justice. At the time then Prime Minister Hubert Minnis was heavily criticized for leaving the chief justice post vacant since December of 2017.

Isaac swore his service to the Bahamian people to the best of his ability and promised to help make the country’s judicial system more efficient.

Isaacs succeeded former Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley, who was appointed president of the Court of Appeal.

Two weeks later, the 63-year-old who was reportedly battling cancer, died in hospital.

A cabinet statement confirmed his death calling him as “judge’s judge”, the epitome of the highest standards of conduct of a judicial officer; and recognized him for “upholding the rule of law, justice, order and proper decorum in his courtroom”.

And finally in 2021, a change to the $100 bill, saw the removal of Queen Elizabeth II’s image and was replaced with the image of former Governor General and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Hanna.

Then Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said the change was a fitting tribute to the legacy and contributions of Hanna who had passed away the week prior.