Antigua & Barbuda Independence Day

This marks the country’s independence from the United Kingdom on 1st November 1981. The British arrived with sailors from St. Kitts in 1632, founding a settlement at Falmouth on the south coast. It formally became a British colony in 1667, from 1685 until 1860 the island of Barbuda was leased to the Codrington family, who had established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674. The islands stayed under British control, as the dockyard used in the Caribbean by the British Navy was an important strategic asset to keep hold of. As like with other Caribbean countries, the demand for self-determination began to grow in the 20th century. and this happened in 1981. The day is celebrated with food fairs, sports competitions, dance festival, art and craft exhibitions, which start in the run up to the day.