January 10th marks an important turning point in the history of The Islands Of The Bahamas. On that date, in 1967, the movement to give equal rights, including the right to vote, was initiated by twelve men.
They are: Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, Milo Butler, Arthur Hanna, Clarence Bain, Jeffrey Thompson, Carleton Francis, Randol Fawkes, Warren Lavarity, Curtis McMillan, Clement Maynard and Lynden Pindling. These men later made up the first Bahamas Cabinet under Majority Rule.
This was the first time that a government representative of the majority of citizens of the country had assumed power, and it heralded the advent of a new era of social development for the country.
This historic day, commemorated as Majority Rule Day, was instrumental in The Islands Of The Bahamas gaining independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973, which is celebrated as Bahamian Independence Day.
