Independence Day Saint Lucia 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Independence Day is annually observed on February 22 in Saint Lucia. Numerous events, such as church services, rugby competitions, table tennis, and netball matches, are held annually to commemorate the occasion. There will be film screenings, a Miss Independence Day Pageant, a ball, concerts, bike festivals, a culinary extravaganza, street parades, and military parades, among many other activities.

The background of Independence Day Saint Lucia

Europeans discovered Saint Lucia, formerly known as the Windward Island, in the late 15th or early 16th century. French settlers named the island after Saint Lucia, a young Christian martyr who died in 304 A.D. during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire.

In 1663, the English gained control of the island for the first time. Since then, the island has been ruled by the French seven times and the English seven times. Saint Lucia became a part of the British Windward Islands colony in 1814, as a result of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Napoleonic Wars and established English control. It became a self-governing island as one of the six West Indies Associated States members in 1967.

Independence Day commemorates the day in 1979 when St. Lucia gained full independence from the Commonwealth of Nations under Sir John Compton of the conservative United Workers Party (U.W.P. ), who later became prime minister.

The day’s festivities begin with the annual military parade, followed by the prime minister’s Independence address. In the afternoon, the capital city of Castries hosts the ‘Annou We-y’ parade, which features floats, characters, groups, and organisations.

The day is filled with a variety of activities and provides ample opportunities to visit the island’s beaches, go fishing, and explore the island’s interior rain forest.

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INDEPENDENCE DAY SAINT LUCIA ACTIVITIES

Join the procession.

Participate in the day’s multiple street parades as a participant, spectator, or supporter. You will be sure to catch all of the day’s glitz and glamour.

Have fun at a resort

As it is a national holiday, take some time to unwind at a resort, beach, or other appropriate location. It will be a very productive use of time during the day.

Dine with family and friends

Friends and family often return to their homes to celebrate Independence Day. Enjoy a delicious meal with them while you discuss interesting topics.

5 fascinating facts about Saint Lucia that will pique your interest

Saint Lucia hosts an annual music festival that includes Calypso and R&B in addition to local and international musicians.

UNESCO designated the Gros and Petit Pitons, two volcanic peaks in the bay near Soufrière, as a World Heritage site in 2004.

In 1979 and 1992, Sir Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott won the Nobel Prize in economics and literature, respectively.

Its current capital is Castries, but it was originally French-colonized Soufrière.

In 1942, a German U-boat attacked and sank two British ships in Castries harbour during the Battle of the Caribbean.

INDEPENDENCE DAY SAINT LUCIA DATES