National

Today in History: March 20

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1782, Andrew Deveaux of South Carolina who later settled in Port Howe, Cat Island, was declared to be an “obnoxious person”.

Published

1 year ago

March 20, 2023

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1782, Andrew Deveaux of South Carolina who later settled in Port Howe, Cat Island, was declared to be an “obnoxious person” under the Confiscation Act passed on the same day by the South Carolina legislature.

The Bahamas Historical Society notes the reason for this declaration, was his leading a raiding party of Tories against Whigs, and destroying their property.

Then in Randol Francis Fawkes, was born in Nassau in 1924. He was a lawyer, politician, labor and civil rights leader, author and founder of the Labour Party in The Bahamas.

The Historical Society notes Fawkes is credited for playing a significant role in some key moments in the labor, political and social movements in the country, including the taxi-cab union strike of 1957, the 1958 Bahamas general strike, the right of women to vote and majority rule.

He was also one of the central figures in the 1967 election along with Alvin Braynen who helped to break the tie between the United Bahamian Party and the Progressive Liberal Party on January 10. This led to Lynden Pindling becoming the first black premier of The Bahamas and the first black government for the colony.

Fawkes became Minister of Labour in the newly formed administration.

Labour Day in The Bahamas was renamed Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day in honor of his contributions to fighting for workers’ rights in the country in 2013.

Fawkes died on June 15th, 2000. He was 76.