National

Today in History: May 24

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, in 1905 on what was known as Empire Day, Queen Victoria was born.

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11 months ago

May 24, 2023

Our News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, in 1905 on what was known as Empire Day, Queen Victoria was born. The Imperial Order Daughters of The Empire unveiled the statue of Queen Victoria in Rawson’s Square.

Then in 1964, Richard George Dean died in Florida.

Known by his stage name ‘Sweet Richard’, he was an entertainer, nightclub owner, limbo and fire dancer and junkanooer.

Born in Long Island the historical society notes he moved to New Providence and began working in show business as a dancer. His talents would take him to perform in clubs as far as the United States.

This video from The Bahamas historical society in November 2017 shows junkanoo legend Percy ‘Vola’ Francis speaking about his legacy.

May 24th, 1966 the Bahamian dollar replaced the Bahamian pound as the official currency of the Bahama islands.

Then on this day in 1969 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono arrived in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The pair were married earlier in the year in March and held a bed-in for peace in Vienna on 25th – 31st March that year, to protest war in general and in particular the Vietnam war.

Lennon and Ono intended to stage a second bed-in at the Sheraton Oceanus hotel in Freeport ,however; the historical society notes that after spending one night they decided to leave for Montreal the following day due to the heat.

Then fast forward to 2012 when former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham spoke exclusively with our news about the future of his North Abaco seat following his party’s defeat in the may 7th general election that year.

Ingraham later announced he would resign from his seat spurring a by-election.

The PLP’s Renado Curry would later win the seat but in his interview Ingraham expressed optimism for his party.

A year later on may 24th 2013 – inspection teams from the National Emergency Management Agency began assessments of areas adversely impacted by severe thunderstorms amid harsh criticism over government response to widespread flooding.

Nema Director Stephen Russell said at the time he intended to recommend an exigency order that would enable families to replace items destroyed during the storm.

Also in 2013 was the start of the inaugural pure silk-bahamas LPGA classic which was held at Ocean Club golf course on Paradise Island from May 24th – 26th. Ilhee Lee of South Korea won the event.

Then in 2014 was another sporting event – this one – the inaugural IAAF world relays at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. The event was held from May 24th-25th.

Three years later in 2017 was the opening of parliament following the Free National Movement landslide win at the polls on May 10th – at the time Dewitt Halson Moultrie was also elected speaker of the House of Assembly.

Our Jasmin Brown was there.

And finally on this day in 2022 – Our News reported on finance officers who were overpaid $4 million dollars after salary adjustments.

Minister of state for public service Pia Glover-Rolle confirmed a financial audit revealed some finance workers adjusted their own salaries in their favour.