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Important People in Jamaica's History

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Important People in Jamaica's History Important People in Jamaica’s History Introduction There are many important people who have helped to shape the Jamaican nation. Many of which have led or influenced the important events that were discussed in the previous topic. Here we will highlight those important individuals and their work or impact on the nation. Before we begin to list the names of these individuals, we must define a few important terms: Hero - This is a person who shows great acts of courage or strength when faced with danger or adversities. Our national heroes and heroine was named because of their services to Jamaica in a most distinguished nature. Heroine - The title given to a female hero. Our only heroine is Nanny of the Maroons. Nation - A large group of people united by history, culture or language and are located in a particular territory. Eg. Jamaica Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Profile of Our National Heroes and Heroine Norman Washington Manley Born: July 4, 1893 in Roxborough, Manchester. Died: September 2, 1969 Parents: Margaret A. Shearer Thomas Albert Samuel Manley. Money: Present on the $5 coin. Short Biography Manley was a scholar, lawyer, athlete and soldier in World War I. He was the founder of the People’s National Party (PNP) and remained President for 31 years until his retirement. He played essential roles in moving the country towards independence (August 1962) and self-government (July 1959). Manley was conferred with the Order of National Hero on October 18, 1969 as per Government Notice 706 Jamaica Gazette, along with his cousin Alexander Bustamante. Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History George William Gordon Born: 1820 near Mavis Bank Died: October 23, 1865 Education: Mostly self-educated Parents: Ann Rattray and Joseph Gordon Money: Present on the $10 coin Short Biography George William Gordon did a lot. He was a shopkeeper, land owner, produce dealer, politician, social worker, philanthropist and preacher. He was an evangelist and the leader of the Native Baptist Movement. He built multiple churches and was elected into the House of Assembly at an early age in 1843. When he entered politics, he was an advocate for the poor-stricken peasants and spoke openly on their behalf. During that time Paul Bogle was actively revolting against the government and they believed William Gordon played a part when Paul Bogle and his men raided the courthouse and set it on fire. Due to this a warrant was set for George William Gordon by Governor Eyre. George was sentenced to death on October 21, 1865. In honor of him the Jamaican Parliament House was named after him. It is often referred to as ‘Gordon House’ for short. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Paul Bogle Born: In 1822 Died: October 24, 1865 Money: Present on the 10-cent coin. Short Biography Paul Bogle and George William Gordon worked alongside each other. Paul Bogle was made Deacon of one of George William Gordon’s churches and leader of one of the parties in charge of taking complaints to the Governor. Due to the many injustices and poverty Bogle was urged to lead a protest march to the Morant Bay courthouse on October 11, 1865, also known as the Morant Bay ReBellion. He was captured and hanged on October 24, 1865. Paul Bogle was appointed with the Order of the National Hero in 1969 as per the second schedule of the National Honours and Awards Act. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Nanny of the Maroons Born: Unknown – she may have been born in Jamaica or Africa. Died: In the 1750s Money: Present on the $500 bill. Short Biography Much is not known about Nanny of the Maroons. She was not a slave and originated from the Ashante triBe. She was the sister of Cudjoe that led the Trelawny Town Maroons and Quao. Her focus was around the welfare of women and children in the community and she served as a spiritual leader of the ‘Windward Maroons’ in Nanny Town located in Portland. Nanny was also a great military leader; she was particularly skilled in organizing the guerilla warfare conducted by the Eastern Maroons to keep away the British troops who attempted to overpower them. "Granny Nanny" was always seen as a symbol of strength and unity. Her grave may be found in Moore Town, Portland (New Nanny Town) at Bump Grave. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Samuel Sharpe Born: In 1780 Died: May 23, 1832 Money: Present on the $50 bill. Short Biography Sam Sharpe is known for his work in leading the Slave Rebellion in 1831. His great leadership qualities have resulted in many trusting him and he was appointed leader of the native Baptists in Montego Bay. Sam Sharpe's plan was to have a peaceful protest and have slaves refuse to work on or after Christmas Day until they were paid properly and got better treatment. The information spread quickly throughout other parishes such as Trelawny, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Manchester. On December 27, 1831, the Kensington Estate Great House was set on fire and that was the start of the rebellion. The slave rebellion led to the death of many slaves and 14 whites. Sharpe was hanged on May 23, 1832. In 1838, slavery was aBolished shortly after the Abolition Bill that was passed by the British Parliament in 1834. He is also known for his famous saying: “I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery”. On March 31, 1982 the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe was conferred the Order of the National Hero as per Government Notice 23 Jamaica Gazette along with Nanny of the Maroons. Sam Sharpe Square in St. James was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Sir Alexander Bustamante, K.B., O.N.H., Ll.D (Hon.) Born: February 24, 1884 in Blenheim, Hanover Died: August 6, 1977 (Age 93) Education: Up to the Primary Level Parents: Robert Clarke and Mary Clarke Money: Present on the $1 coin Short Biography Bustamante during his early years was involved in the trade union throughout Latin America and the Meditarranean. Upon returning to Jamaica he began to speak out about the poor social conditions of Jamaica and demanded a better life for those who were poor and underprivileged. Bustamante then joined the Jamaica Workers and Tradesmen’s Union as treasurer and here he influenced workers to take action against their poor conditions as well. This led to Bustamante’s arrest for influencing the people to gather unlawfully and he was sent to jail without bail followed by a detention camp in 1940. Upon his release on July 8, 1943 he formed the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP). Shortly after the passage of universal adult suffrage in May 1944, Bustamante took the young JLP to the general elections where the Party won 22 of the 32 seats. He was named Chief Minister in 1953 and became the first Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1962. The Bustamante Children's Hospital was named after him. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Marcus Mosiah Garvey Born: August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay Died: June 10, 1940 Money: Present on the $20 coin Short Biography Marcus Garvey was known for his work in a published newspaper ‘The Watchman’. He encouraged self-government for black people worldwide, cultural activities, economic projects and protest against racial discrimination through the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He travelled throughout the United States in 1916 and by 1921 he was the leader of the largest black organization in history. In 1922 he was charged with fraud and sent to prison then deported to Jamaica approximately three years later. Upon his return he continued to organize public meetings and other cultural activities but soon left for England until he suffered two strokes in 1940 that led to his death. He was buried in Kendal Green Cemetery, London and in 1964 his body was sent back to Jamaica and reburied in National Heroes Park. Marcus Mosiah Garvey became Jamaica’s first National Hero. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Important People in Jamaica’s History Index of Key Terms Hero Heroine Nation People's National Party (PNP) Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Norman Manley International Airport Samuel Sharpe Marcus Mosiah Garvey Nanny of the Maroons George William Gordon Paul Bogle Norman Washington Manley Sir Alexander Bustamante Slave Rebellion Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Guerilla Warfare Jamaican Parliament House (Gordon House) Morant Bay ReBellion Caribbean Youth Development Institute .
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