Today in History: May 8

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, in 1782 – Bernardo De Gálvez y Madrid who was count of Gálvez became military governor following the Spanish invasion and occupation of Nassau. Galvez would served until April 1783.

Then in 1829 – James Carmichael Smyth was appointed as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahama Islands by King George IV. He served as governor of the colony until 1833.

The historical society notes during his governorship he used his office to bring about better treatment of enslaved Africans in the colony.

Smyth was also governor of the colony when the Pompey rebellion took place in Steventon on Exuma island.

Fast forward to 2012, when then leader of the Progressive Liberal Party Perry Gladstone Christie was sworn in as prime minister.

On May 8th 2013, Gary Karpp – the father of a teen murder in South Florida a decade prior was back in New Providence probing a Bahamian connection to her killing. This as one of America’s most wanted men, believed to be his daughter Marissa’s killer, was himself murdered in New Providence two weeks prior to Karpp’s exclusive interview with Our News.

And finally, on the same day in 2013, local activist Rodney Moncur whose home was torched the day before spoke to the media about his loss.