Historically significant markers in May in SVG

EDITOR: In the month of May there have been some incidents of great significance in the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

On May 1, 1951, known as May Day, George Hamilton Charles and “The United Workers and Rate Payers Union” made quite an impact on the citizens of the country of St. Vincent, as it was known then, when their large group attended a rally that day.

His group, known as “The Eighth Army of Liberation,” went on to win all eight seats in the first election after Universal Adult Suffrage later that year in October.

On May 4, 2025, the third Sunday of Easter, a Parish Companion Relationship was launched and signed between the Parish of St. Paul’s, Calliaqua with St. John’s, Belair and the Parish of St. Paul’s in the village of Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York.

The Girls’ High School was opened on May 8, 2011, and has remained an outstanding institution in its role of educating girls in the nation.

Now on May 21, 2025, the nation will celebrate the first Spiritual Baptist holiday in St. Vincent and the Grenadines as it is now known.

For excellent reading material about the subject of Spiritual Baptists in St. Vincent and the Grenadines there are two publications readily available by Vincentian authors: “From Shakers To Spiritual Baptists: The Struggle For Survival of the Shakers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” by Adrian Fraser, published by KINGSSVG (2011).

“The Rise of a Spiritual Leader in St. Vincent and the Grenadines” by Phyllis Ralph Browne published by KINGS-SVG (2016).

It is gratifying to see local authors shaping the narrative of local subjects. Congratulations. Keep up the good work. It helps everyone to more fully appreciate and nurture a sense of local history.

Cheryl Phills King.