Today In History: September 19th

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, on September 19th, 1927 – Geoffrey Adams Dinwiddie Johnstone was born in New Providence.

Johnstone was a politician, lawyer, church leader and civil servant. He began attending the Inns of Court School of Law in 1947 and in 1950 he was called to the Bar of England at Middle Temple. Later in the year, he was called to the Bahamas Bar in August.

The same month he joined the law firm of Higgs & Johnson. Two years later he became a partner in the firm and in 1968 he became a senior partner and held this position until his retirement in 1998.

His career in politics began in 1962 when he was elected to represent the eastern district of New Providence in the House of Assembly. He was appointed leader of the opposition and served in that office until July 1971.

Johnstone passed away on 4th August 2017 at the age of 89.

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Then in 1972 – the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas  held General Elections.

Thirty-eight seats would be contested by three parties and independent candidates. The political parties that participated in the election were the Progressive Liberal Party, the Free National Movement and the Commonwealth Labour Party.

The PLP won 29 of the 38 contested seats and formed the new government. The FNM won the other nine seats and became the official opposition. Lynden Pindling would continue as prime minister of The Bahamas.

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Fast forward to 2019… The country held a national prayer service to help heal the scars inflicted by monster storm Dorian which ravaged Abaco and Grand Bahama earlier that month.

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And in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest; Our News was in London for the somber ceremony.