The Government of St Kitts and Nevis has officially announced the calendar of events for the country’s 41st Independence Anniversary celebrations.
This year’s festivities will be held under the theme “Together, a People, Proud and Strong: Independence 41.”
The twin-island federation, which gained full independence on September 19, 1983, is preparing for approximately a month of celebrations.
These events are designed to showcase the nation’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and collective accomplishments over the past four decades.
The planned activities aim to engage citizens and visitors alike, offering a diverse range of experiences that reflect the country’s history, progress, and aspirations.
Saint Kitts and Nevis gained independence from Britain on September 19, 1983. The country’s independence came after a constitutional conference in London in 1982, despite disagreements over special provisions for Nevis. Kennedy Simmonds, who had been Premier since 1980, became the country’s first Prime Minister. Saint Kitts and Nevis chose to remain within the British Commonwealth and retain Queen Elizabeth as Monarch, represented by a Governor-General. The United States recognized the country’s independence on September 19, 1983, and established diplomatic relations the following day.
Saint Kitts and Nevis had been under British and French colonial rule for centuries. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with internal autonomy. Anguilla rebelled in 1971 and was allowed to secede, but its union with Saint Kitts and Nevis was formally revoked in 1980.
