Antigua National Heroes Day

Antigua National Heroes Day

December 9

Antigua has four citizens who have been designated as National Heroes, and December 9 is a public holiday to honor and celebrate all of them. The date is the birthday of one of the four, Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, the first prime minister of Antigua, who is considered the father of the nation. The others are King Court, who led a slave revolt in 1736; Dame Ellen Georgian Nellie Robinson, a pioneer in education; and Sir Vivian Richards, one of the world's greatest cricket players, who was captain of the West Indies team from 1985 to 1991.
Speeches and ceremonies honor the accomplishments of the National Heroes on this day. In 2007, in the capital city of St. John's, a ceremony took place at Heroes Park, involving Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and children from various schools in the area. Spencer also laid a wreath at the monument honoring King Court. Also in 2007, postage stamps were issued memorializing the four National Heroes.

CONTACTS:
Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda
610 Fifth Ave., Ste. 311
New York, NY 10020
212-541-4117 or 212-541-4589; fax: 212-757-1607
Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda
32 New Mexico Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
202-362-5122; fax: 202-362-5225

Celebration day: Dec 9