The First Independence Message From Prime Minister, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante – 6 August 1962
“I speak to Jamaicans both at home and overseas as the Prime Minister of the Government of Jamaica at this historic moment when we attain our Independence.
I speak with humility, fully conscious of the opportunities of service that are mine. But I speak also with pride and courage because I have faith in my people and I know that you all will respond to the challenge of this new era on which we now enter; and to the difficult tasks and heavy responsibilities ahead of us.
Independence means the opportunity for us to frame our own destiny and the need for us to rely on ourselves in so doing. It does not mean a license to do as we would like. It means work and law and order
‘Out of many one people’ we have chosen as our motto; and very true it is. All of us should be proud of the example of racial harmony which we have set for the rest of the world.
We have come a long way together. As a sovereign people we shall make new friends and new alliances. But we shall never forget our friends, nor shall we forget the lessons that they have taught us.
Come then, let us, thanking Almighty God for this great day, go forward together into the future with faith, courage and dedication. Let us resolve always to help those less fortunate among us. Let us resolve to work together under the law; to build a Jamaica which will last and of which we and the generations to follow may be proud; remembering that especially at this time the eyes of the world are upon us.
May God bless you all”
Prime Minister, the Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante (Jamaica’s first Prime Minister)
MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE MOST HON. SIR PATRICK ALLEN, ON, GCMG, CD – GOVERNOR GENERAL
My fellow Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora, I am pleased to welcome you to our website where you are able to feel the pulse and the heart and soul of what is happening in Jamaica as we prepare to celebrate our 50th birthday as an independent nation.
I remember the feeling of pride, joy and anticipation that Jamaicans experienced in the events leading up to Independence Day 1962. I hope we can capture some of the excitement in a way that befits our contemporary reality. Now on the cusp of the fiftieth anniversary, there is a heightened sense of excitement and expectancy attending on the forthcoming celebrations.
This Jubilee celebration will provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the many blessings God has given us as a nation, and to evaluate whether or not we have realized the high hopes and ideals which the founders of our nation had for us as a country. Certainly we have not yet realized all our dreams but in many areas we have surpassed expectations; and with our energies turned toward Vision 2030, hopefully we can realize the ‘Jamaican dream’.
Meanwhile, we are proud of our accomplishments so far, as a stable democracy for 50 years. We are proud of our phenomenal achievements in music, sports, academia, culture, and many other areas. This 50th year is promising to be a watershed year for renewal, reaffirmation and renewed belief in ourselves and our abilities to achieve our potential. Others believe in us, we must believe in ourselves!
I believe that 2012 is going to be a great year in Jamaica! Therefore I urge everyone at home to get together and feel alright, and those in the Diaspora to come to Jamaica and feel alright; and perhaps after all of these actions and reactions, reflections, and visioning, we may finally be alright, because we will make Jamaica a place to live, work, raise families, and do business.
Enjoy the website, and please feel free to share it with your friends and families worldwide. I am sure you will find information that will pique your interest to get involved in our country’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Thank you and God bless you and God bless Jamaica!