National

Today In History: June 1

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1946, Windsor Field on New Providence reverted to civilian use as the British Royal Air Force withdrew from the Bahama Islands.

Published

11 months ago

June 1, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1946, Windsor Field on New Providence reverted to civilian use as the British Royal Air Force withdrew from the Bahama Islands.

The former airfield, which had been used to train pilots for delivery flights of new bombers during World War II, was unused since the end of hostilities.

It was named after the Duke of Windsor, who had taken up residency on the island after abdicating as king.

The newly developed Lynden Pindling International Airport now sits on the site.

Then in 1973 – the year of Independence – Salathiel Harvey Thompson was appointed Commissioner of Police. He was the first Bahamian to serve in the position replacing John Hinmarsh of the United Kingdom.

A year later in 1974, Central Bank of The Bahamas was established through the passage of the Central Bank of The Bahamas Act.

The bank was to carry out independent monetary policy and financial sector supervisory functions entrusted upon The Bahamas after its independence from Great Britain.

Thirty-one years later on this day in 2005 – Wendy Craigg was appointed Governor of the Central Bank. She was the first and only female to serve in the post. She held office as governor until 2015. She was succeeded by John Rolle.

Five years later in 2020, as The Bahamas was in the midst of the global fight against Covid-19, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that $48 million was being allocated to finance an expansion of government’s unemployment assistance programs. It was to be administered by the National Insurance Board (NIB) and the first payments to be issued on July 17th.

A year later then Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis encouraged eligible Bahamians to get vaccinated calling it quote “the way out of this terrible pandemic.”