National

Today in History: February 14

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, John Forbes became lieutenant-governor of the colony in 1797, replacing Robert Hunt.

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, John Forbes became lieutenant-governor of the colony in 1797, replacing Robert Hunt who had been serving as acting governor after John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore, had been recalled to Britain and fired while en route to England.

Forbes’ term as governor lasted less than four months but in that time, he signed the Consolidated Slave Act which sought to improve the conditions of enslaved Africans, but also contained provisions to control their movements and activities.

Less than one month after the signing, Forbes died on June 3, 1797.

Then more than 100 years later in 1926, William Grey-Wilson who served as the 50th governor and commander-in-chief of these islands died in Italy.

Grey-Wilson served from 1904 – 1912.

February 14, 1977, The Bahamas Union of Teachers Co-Operative Credit Union was officially registered under the Co-Operative Societies Act of 1974.

The credit union started with 12 members, and the first deposit of $90.00 made to the credit union’s bank account in April that year. Four months later, the first loans were made to members.

In 1982, the name was changed to Teachers and Salaried Workers Co-Operative Credit Union Limited, opening membership bond to all persons employed in The Bahamas.

On this day in 2011, the Betty K Agency Ltd was destroyed by an early morning fire that spread to other businesses on Bay Street including, the Bacardi building, Tempo Paris, the Pub and the Adderley building next to the Churchill building which houses the Cabinet office.

Firefighters and more the 50 Defence Force officers were called to combat the fire and closed the street in downtown, Nassau.