Today, 7 February, Grenada celebrates its Independence Day.

Independence Day in Grenada is a public holiday and is celebrated every year on the 7^th of February. The day is also celebrated as Grenada’s National Day. This holiday marks Grenada’s independence from Britain on February 7, 1974.

Interestingly, unlike many other countries, if Independence Day in Grenada falls on a weekend, the following Monday is not considered a holiday. In Grenada Independence Day is observed in various cities across the country with colourful parades and official ceremonies. People dress up, visit their loved ones, make merry, and remember their struggle for freedom. On the Independence Day of Grenada, shops, schools, and banks remain closed. Tourists also visit Grenada to partake in the lively occasion.

Grenada is a fully independent island country in the West Indies with its current population standing at 113,855 as of Tuesday, January the 24^th, 2023.

The National flag of Grenada is a key symbol of independence. The colours of the flag are red, green and yellow (gold). Each colour has a defined meaning that sheds light on Grenada. Red symbolises the warmth and friendliness of Grenadian people. Green symbolises the lush vegetation that is part of the fauna of the island. Yellow symbolises the sunlight that shines throughout the year. There are seven stars on the flag. Each star represents the seven parishes of Grenada including Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The nutmeg, which is the premier spice of the island, is found on the left side of the flag.

Grenada was admitted as a full member of the United Nations on 17 September 1974 and has played a full part in world affairs ever since.

Located at the southern end of the Grenadines island chain, Grenada consists of the island of Grenada itself, two smaller islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinque, as well as several smaller islands which lie to the north of the main island.

It is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago. To the north of Grenada lies Saint Vincent and to the southwest lies Venezuela.

Grenada is also known as the “Island of Spice” due to its high production of nutmeg and mace. It also produces high volumes of cocoa and bananas.

Originally colonised by the French in the 17^th Century Grenada was restored to Great Britain through the Treaty of Versailles in 1783.

On 3 March 1967, Grenada was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs and while there were ups and downs over the following years the country is now through all of that and full independence was granted on 7 February 1974.

This new country became a full member of the United Nations on 7 September 1974

It also became a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations in March 1979 (The organisation, which primarily consists of former British colonies, and which focuses on fostering international relations between its members)

Grenada is also a full and participating member of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS).

Organization of American States (OAS)

Grenada is one of the 35 states which has ratified the OAS Charter and is a full member of this organisation. Grenada entered into the Inter-American system in 1975 according to the OAS’s website.

Items that may be of further interest to readers,

• Grenada has no standing military, leaving typical military functions to the Royal Grenada Police Force and the Coast Guard
• In 2019, Grenada signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
• The Grenada revolution that occurred between the years 1979 to 1983 was a transformational period in terms of the social and economic development of Grenada. Several of the establishments that were started during the revolutionary period have remained as part of Grenada’s society today.

For anyone interested in more of the details of The Grenada Revolution, these are contained in

https://www.islandlearning.gd/post/the-grenada-revolution-achievements