Barbados in a Nutshell - 2022 - EBook

caption 10 Andrew Hulsmeier Barbados Museum and Historical Society caption caption Commonwealth Day Parade History in a Nutshell is the only place outside of the USA that George Washington visited, the British established a military garrison, Carlisle Bay became a major shipping hub for the new world, the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere was built, the oldest ecclesiastical seminary, Codrington College, was created and the list of globally signifigant firsts goes on. The English took the initiative for the rest of the world by abolishing the slave trade in 1807 with emancipation following in 1834-38. In 1843 Samuel Jackman Prescod became the first non-white Member of Parliament and in 1886 Conrad Reeves became the first black Chief Justice. Nevertheless, many inequalities existed in what historians refer to as the dark century. The flames of discontent finally erupted in the form of the 1937 riots. A group of highly educated black leaders emerged and in 1950 Universal Suffrage was at last a reality. In 1966, Barbados gained independence from Britain under the leadership of National Hero, Errol Walton Barrow. 55 years later Barbados was ushered into republic status by the current Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, with His Royal Highness Prince Charles honouring the occasion with his attendance on November 30th 2021. This snapshot does not do justice to what is a fascinating and extraordinarily rich history. For further reading visit the bookshop at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society or Barbadosbooks.com George Washington House Sir Conrad Reeves, first black Chief Justice of Barbados 1886 Errol Walton Barrow celebrating Indepence from Britain in 1966