Sunday 24 April 2016

By Fred Borson


Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, south of Cuba and west of Haiti. Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians when Columbus explored it in 1494 and named it St. Iago. It remained under Spanish rule until 1655, when it became a British possession.

Buccaneers operated from Port Royal, also the capital, until it fell into the sea in an earthquake in 1692. Disease decimated the Arawaks, so black slaves were imported to work on the sugar plantations. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the British were consistently harassed by the Maroons, armed bands of freed slaves roaming the countryside.

Political Independence was granted in 1962, following Jamaica's rejection, by referendum, of membership in the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica was given a Westminister style constitution, with a Governor-general as the representative of the British Crown, and a bicameral Parliament.

The Jamaica National Flag was first raised on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. It signifies the birth of our nation. The Flag brings to mind memories of past achievements and gives inspiration towards further success. It is flown on many triumphant occasions, showing the pride that Jamaicans have in their country and in the flag itself.

After gaining independence from the British West Indies in 1962, Jamaica launched a national competition to find the design for their new national flag. Of many designs submitted, the gold saltire, or X, beat out various striped flags in the same color scheme.

The original design for the Jamaican flag was a horizontal striped pattern with the same colors as the current flag, but it was rejected because of its similarity to the then flag of Tanganyika which is now part of Tanzania. The original design for the Jamaican flag was a horizontal striped pattern with the same colors as the current flag, but it was rejected because of its similarity to the then flag of Tanganyika which is now part of Tanzania. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Jamaican Flag for the future.




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