by Linda Straker
- In 2022, Culture Minister disclosed that 19 October, as of 2023, will be declared a public holiday
- Only public holiday listed in October 2023 is 25 October
- Public or bank holidays involve a proclamation by Governor-General, and or approval by Parliament
19 October will not be a public holiday according to a government publication advising citizens of the public holidays that will be observed in 2023. The only public holiday in October is 25 October — also referred to as Thanksgiving Day — to commemorate the return of parliamentary democracy to Grenada after the collapse of the Grenada Revolution.
On 19 October 2022, while addressing a commemorative ceremony, Culture Minister Ron Redhead disclosed that 19 October, as of 2023, will be declared a public holiday to commemorate the 1983 killing of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, several of his cabinet colleagues along with civilians at what was then named Fort Rupert, currently called Fort George.
Addressing a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony where the killings took place 39 years ago, Redhead said that the current Dickon Mitchell administration believes that to move the country forward in a profound manner, the events of October 1983 must be addressed.
“We must address the healing of our nation. To this end, Government will use this opportunity to propose a series of actions geared towards promoting national healing from the demise of the Revolution,” Redhead told the ceremony which was attended by government officials.
“Next year, Grenada will remember and recognise all the days of the tragic ending. From the 19th to the 25th with a week of activities,” he said, announcing that 19 October will be declared a holiday. “Special consideration will be given to developing our national heroes framework to designate a day entitled ‘Maurice Bishop Day’ among others,” he added.
However, days after his announcement, Redhead explained that 19 October will be recognised for its significance in the island’s history. Including a date as a public or bank holiday on the list of public holidays in Grenada involves a Government Gazette proclamation by the Governor-General, and or approval by the Houses of Parliament.
“It shall be lawful for the Governor-General from time to time, by Proclamation in the Gazette, to appoint a special day, or part thereof, to be observed as a Bank Holiday, either throughout Grenada or in any part thereof, or in any town or district therein, and any day, or part thereof, so appointed shall be kept as a close holiday in all Banks within the locality mentioned in the Proclamation, and shall as regards bills of exchange and promissory notes payable in such locality, be deemed to be a Bank Holiday for all the purposes of this Act,” states the Bank Holiday legislation.
The public holidays in Grenada for the year 2023 are:
- New Year’s Day: Sunday, 1 January. Holiday observed on Monday, 2 January.
- Independence Day: Tuesday, 7 February
- Good Friday: Friday, 7 April
- Easter Monday: Monday, 10 April
- Labour Day: Monday, 1 May
- Whit Monday: Monday, 29 May
- Corpus Christi: Thursday, 8 June
- Emancipation Day: Monday, 7 August
- Carnival Monday: Monday, 14 August
- Carnival Tuesday: By Proclamation (Tuesday, 15 August)
- Thanksgiving Day: Wednesday, 25 October
- Christmas Day: Monday, 25 December
- Boxing Day: Tuesday, 26 December
I became a friend of Comrade Prime Minister in March 1979 when I visited Grenada to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of The Revo as an elected City Councilmember in my hometown of Seaside, California. My good friend the late former Mayor of Berkeley, California Gus Newport visited there one year earlier. I was introduced to Maurice by then Consul General Joseph Burke, who stayed at my house when he spoke in my city in 1980. I will be in Grenada for the Commemoration next month. My hat is off to Minister Redhead and the government for the importance they have placed on the legacy of Comrade Maurice and the other Comrades in the making of The Revo that inspired the struggles of Blacks and oppressed peoples the world over. Forward Ever!
Wot? No day off for MB??
Dodgy