National

Today in History: July 26

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A destructive Category 4 storm, a famous speech and a fight for chairmanship. See what events took place on this day in history.

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1 year ago

July 26, 2023

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1926 – Hurricane San Liborio made landfall on New Providence as a destructive Category 4 storm claiming the lives of over 100 people.

It was one of the most severe storms to ever affect New Providence at the time.

Then in 1964, the cornerstone of the Young Women’s Christian Association building on Dolphin Drive in New Providence was laid by Lady Grey, wife of then Governor Ralph Grey.

And five years later in 1969, then Prime Minister Lynden Pindling delivered his ‘Bend or Break’ speech in Freeport, Grand Bahama at the opening of Bahamas Oil Refinery Company.

His speech sought to address inequalities post Grand Bahama Port Authority’s development of the city of Freeport. At the time, he said the city was experiencing discrimination in housing and employment, as well as a lack of social and economic advancement for Bahamians.

In 2018 – there were 27 confirmed cases of conch poisoning with 22 other suspected cases awaiting laboratory confirmation. Then Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands said at the time officials would clamp down on conch vendors who did not have fresh running water in their businesses.

Then in 2019, following a bitter battle for national chairman of the PLP the night before, Fred Mitchell was re-elected to the post, defeating challenger and his then-former cabinet colleague Obie Wilchcombe. Chester Cooper was also reelected deputy leader. He took to the convention stage touting a new vision for the party.