Antigua & Barbuda
The First 25 Years of Independence

Twenty five years ago, in its December, 1981 edition, EVERYBODY’S, the Caribbean-American magazine, presented a special feature on Antigua and Barbuda achievement of independence, Sunday, November 1, 1981. Twenty five years later, EVERYBODY’S November issue focuses on Antigua and Barbuda silver anniversary of independence. This edition is divided into The First 25 Years and The Next 25 Years. Download the PDF issue FREE!

FIRST 25 YEARS

• Exclusive interview with Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer
• Commemorative photos of the Independence Days, 1981
• Exclusive interviews with the late Prime Minister Vere Bird and prime ministers in Antigua for the celebrations on November 1, 1981
• Nation Builders
• 25 Years of Music
• 25 Years of Sports

NEXT 25 YEARS

Brilliant and stimulating commentaries including a call for constitutional reform

SOUVENIR POSTER Inserted in each copy is a large 16.5 x 21.5 “25th Independence Anniversary Poster” for readers to mount, frame, display and cherish. Click here to see a larger version of this poster Click for the answers to the Quiz on Page 94 Below are some excerpts from the magazine articles in this issue:

Prime Minister Spencer reflects on 25 years of independence and the ICC Cricket World Cup in an exclusive interview with EVERYBODY’S.

Herman Hall: Do you have a message for Antiguans and Barbudans residing abroad and to others who bond with the nation in this 25th independence year?
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer: Certainly! Untold numbers of Antigua and Barbuda’s sons and daughters have formed communities in other countries, contributing their energies and expertise and adding value to the societies in which they now reside. They must be assured that they are always welcomed back home. We urge them wherever they dwell to commemorate the 25th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Over the years, many visitors became admirers of our fledging nation and they regard Antiguans and Barbudans as their extended family. We invite them to celebrate our silver jubilee by visiting us again.
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On November 4, 1981, the first work day in the new nation, Prime Minister V.C. Bird granted EVERYBODY’S Magazine Publisher Herman Hall an exclusive interview.

HERMAN HALL: Prime Minister Bird, do you have any message for nationals living abroad on the achievement of Independence?
PRIME MINISTER BIRD: I am very mindful of their awareness of the steps that have been taken to bring Antigua into independence. I think the program went over quite well; the Constitution protects their interest both for themselves, their children and their grandchildren; and I hope and trust they will visit the homeland from time to time, as often as possible.
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When Solomon Doumith, Managing Director at Antigua Computer Technology Co. Ltd. (ACT), graduated from the University of Miami in 1988 with a double major in Business and Computer Science, he shared his dream of advancing technology in Antigua and Barbuda with his family and a few close friends. Never did they imagine just how much this young entrepreneur would impact the development of information communication technologies in Antigua and Barbuda.
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In today’s Parliament, Hon. Charlesworth Samuel remains the only member of the Independence Delegation, consisting of the governing and opposition parties that went to London in December 1980 to discuss the nation’s constitution. In fact, he is only one of two remaining members of Parliament who attended Antigua and Barbuda’s first sitting of Parliament on November 2, 1981.

At age 67, Charlesworth Samuel, M.P. for All Saints East and St. Luke’s has a story to tell of perseverance and dedication. With a political career that spans over 30 years, he is one of the few elected officials with a career that spans pre-Independence to the celebration of our 25th Anniversary.
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His name is etched in our nation’s media history. He was adamant that citizens be accorded the medium to express themselves freely but in a responsible manner. Samuel Arthur St. Clair Derrick, fondly called “Fergie,” was born in 1931 and on April 1, 2003 went to eternal rest.

After establishing “Daily Observer,” a newspaper originally sent by facsimile, he applied for a license to operate a radio station. Frustrated by constant runaround by the Antigua Labour Party Government, Fergie and his brother Winston launched “Observer” Radio but without a telecommunications license. The authorities seized all their radio equipment and Chief Magistrate Murrio Ducille issued a bench warrant for both Fergie’s and Winston’s arrest.
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