Former Prime Minster Sir Lynden O. Pindling was born
On March 22, 1930, Sir Lynden O. Pindling, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas from 1969 to 1992, was born. Pindling also served as the first black Premier of the Colony of the Bahama Islands from 1967 to 1969; and was regarded as “Father of the Nation” of the Bahamas.
Political Party Affiliation: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) from 1956 to 1997.
Pindling’s father was a native of Jamaica, who had earlier immigrated to The Bahamas to join the Royal Bahamas Police Force as a constable.
Pindling’s widow, Dame Marguerite Pindling is the current Governor General of the Bahamas, after taking office on July 8, 2014. The couple was married from 1956 until his death in 2000. Together they had four children.
Pindling was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1983. His political career, however, ended when he resigned from public office amidst scandal and allegations of corruption.
In honor of Pendling’s legacy, government officials renamed Nassau International Airport to Lynden Pindling International Airport. The name of the airport was officially changed on 6 July 2006. Pendling is also featured on the Bahamian one dollar bill.
Some of the highlight of his Career include leading Bahamians to independence from Great Britain on 10 July 1973, introducing social security measures in the form of the National Insurance Scheme, and forming the College of The Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. Pindling emphasized public aid to education and the continued attraction of foreign investment, international banking and tourism and fought vigorously for equal rights.
