This day celebrates when Barbados gained independence from the United Kingdom on this day in 1966. It became an English colony in the early 17th century. It became an important producer of sugar cane and a key strategic location in the region for Britain. It was the only Caribbean island that didn’t change hands during the colonial period. The first call for independence began in the early 20th century, while political changes started in 1949, and it became self-governing in 1961, and the Barbados Independence Act was passed in 1966.