Today In History: September 8

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THE BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, on September 8th, 2017 – Hurricane Irma made landfall in The Bahamas as a category 5 hurricane and affected mainly the southeastern Bahamas.

The islands of Great Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins and Ragged Islands felt the brunt of the storm with Ragged Island sustaining the most damage. The settlement of Duncan Town, Ragged Island was virtually destroyed and residents had to be evacuated leaving the island uninhabitable for nearly two years.

Damages as a result of the storm were estimated at $135 million. There were no fatalities as a result of Irma.

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On September 8th, 1729 – Governor Woodes Rogers issued a proclamation to call an elective Assembly.

This would be the first elections held in the colony of the Bahama Islands and would take place over the period of 12th – 20th September 1729.

From the population of the colony, only 250 persons were able to participate as the right to vote was restricted to whites men over the age of 21.

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In 2012- 26 people arrested in a late-night raid of Copa Cabana in what police believed was a strip club in western New Providence.

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In 2016 – then opposition leader Hubert Minnis accused the prime minister of misleading the public on Baha Mar. Contractors owed money from CCA would not be eligible for payouts from a newly appointed claims committee after its liquidation. In a notice, it said only contractors owed by a Baha Mar company were eligible.

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And finally in 2022 – Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest monarch died in Scotland. At 6:30 pm London time there was a stunned silence as the flag over the palace was lowered to half-mast. Hundreds gathered at the gates of the place.