Celebrating May 24th
May 24th was celebrated in Jamaica for about a hundred years, and very possibly longer. At first it was celebrated as the birthday of the reigning monarch, as had been done for earlier monarchs, then, after the death of Queen Victoria, in 1901, it was celebrated as Victoria Day in her memory, while about the same time it also became known as Empire Day. Jamaica continued to celebrate Victoria/Empire Day until 1960.
Queen Victoria's Birthday
The earliest reference I have found so far to the observance of Queen Victoria's birthday as a public holiday is this in the Gleaner:
'TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1870
In our morning issue yesterday, we announced that as this would be the anniversary of the birth of the Queen, it would be observed as a holiday in all departments of the public service and at the Colonial Bank.'
I keep looking for earlier references!
'TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1870
In our morning issue yesterday, we announced that as this would be the anniversary of the birth of the Queen, it would be observed as a holiday in all departments of the public service and at the Colonial Bank.'
I keep looking for earlier references!
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In 1872 the Queen's birthday, May 24th, fell on a Friday. In that year the celebration included the opening of the new buildings for the long-established market at the foot of King Street; the market was thus known for the century ahead as the Victoria Market.
Sir John Peter Grant, Governor of Jamaica
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Daily Gleaner, May 27, 1872
Opening of the New Market
The ceremonial of opening to the public the magnificent New Market at the foot of King Street, on the seaboard, terminating with a public landing place, took place by arrangement, on Friday last, the 24th of May, the day, the anniversary of the Queen's nativity, being considered appropriate for the occasion.
[to be continued]
The ceremonial of opening to the public the magnificent New Market at the foot of King Street, on the seaboard, terminating with a public landing place, took place by arrangement, on Friday last, the 24th of May, the day, the anniversary of the Queen's nativity, being considered appropriate for the occasion.
[to be continued]
The party then rose and the festivities were brought to a close. The day will long be remembered as one of universal rejoicing, where thousands of all classes were brought together, and there was not an occurrence, not an expression to mar the general harmony. It passed off in a manner that reflects a lasting credit upon the people at large.
Click HERE for the Gleaner, May 27, 1872, full account of opening of the Victoria Market
'The market was first opened to the public on the 24th May, 1872, when the Governor Sir John Peter Grant, named it "The Victoria Market".'
after this:
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1873
'The technique of transparent illuminations dates from the late-eighteenth century when Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg experimented with their use for the theatre. By the 1850s they were important civic forms of entertainment. Local scene painters were employed to paint these large canvases, producing dazzling displays rivaling the popularity of fireworks. Images became translucent when lit from the rear. Initially lit by candles, transparencies were later illuminated by gaslight and finally with electricity by 1900. Painted with water-soluble dyes or pigment they presented problems in foul weather.'
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/vic/summary/v044/44.4johnson.html 
dissolving views = magic lantern shows
1876
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1881
1884
In this editorial the Gleaner was very upset at what it considered the Custos's poor administration of Kingston's two public buildings, the Theatre Royal and the Town Hall. At his death in 1889, however, the paper recorded appreciation of Henry John Kemble's service to the city.
1887
Daily Gleaner, May 25, 1887
Yesterday being the anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday the Colonial Bank and other public and pivot places of business in the city was closed. Several picnics were also held outside the city. The customary salutes were fired at Port Royal by H M S Urgent and Tourmaline. The Kingston Volunteer Militia mustered on the Race Course at six o'clock yesterday morning, to celebrate the birthday of the Queen Empress by a parade, a feu de joie and hearty cheers. The three arms of the force were well represented, the Artillery especially looking most smart and soldier-like. The Mounted Rifles were paraded on foot, and were the only branch that did not muster in force. The feu de joie was well delivered, and the Artillery again showed the effect of careful training in the way in which the fire was delivered. Three cheers were called for the Queen, and the parade concluded with a "march past." A great number of spectators thronged the barriers of the enclosure in which the manœuvres were performed and the eyes of numbers of the fair sex were turned admiringly upon the new scarlet jackets of the Infantry Officers, which shone resplendent in new bullion lace and bright red broad cloth. "Que j'aime les militaries" is as true now as ever it was since the god of war captivated the heart of the amorous Paphian Queen. |
Victoria Day, 1901
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Empire Day
Daily Gleaner, July 3, 1903
EMPIRE DAY.
The movement to establish May 24, the date of the late Queen's birthday, as Empire Day has taken wide hold throughout the Colonies.
EMPIRE DAY.
The movement to establish May 24, the date of the late Queen's birthday, as Empire Day has taken wide hold throughout the Colonies.
Commonwealth Day
Labour Day, 1960
Daily Gleaner, Sunday, May 29, 1960
ON TUESDAY, last week, [May 24] Jamaica's political parties came out in strength in the city to celebrate this island's peculiar Labour Day. Happily the two columns of marchers offered no obstructions to each other and Mr. Manley and his PNP supporters, Sir Alexander and his JLP supporters disported themselves through the streets of Kingston in a mood which can only be described as happy.
That the marches were taking place on what is unofficially Commonwealth Day (officially Victoria or Empire Day) meant nothing to those who participated in them; May 24 in Jamaica is National Labour Day and next year when the PNP-NWU and the JLP-BITU march through the city again they will indeed be celebrating just that for by then May 24 will be officially "National Labour Day" in the terms of a bill which is now before the Legislature.
ON TUESDAY, last week, [May 24] Jamaica's political parties came out in strength in the city to celebrate this island's peculiar Labour Day. Happily the two columns of marchers offered no obstructions to each other and Mr. Manley and his PNP supporters, Sir Alexander and his JLP supporters disported themselves through the streets of Kingston in a mood which can only be described as happy.
That the marches were taking place on what is unofficially Commonwealth Day (officially Victoria or Empire Day) meant nothing to those who participated in them; May 24 in Jamaica is National Labour Day and next year when the PNP-NWU and the JLP-BITU march through the city again they will indeed be celebrating just that for by then May 24 will be officially "National Labour Day" in the terms of a bill which is now before the Legislature.
On the same day, May 31, 1960, Norman Manley announced the referendum in which the people of Jamaica would decide if their country should remain within the West Indies Federation, or not.
