Antigua Independence Day
Sunday, November 1, 2026
In 1493, Discovery by. Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage, discovered Antigua and named it after the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Seville, Spain
History
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from Britain on November 1, 1981, ending centuries of colonial rule. The islands were originally inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples before Christopher Columbus arrived on his second voyage in 1493, naming Antigua after the Church of Santa Maria la Antigua in Seville. Britain colonized the islands in the 17th century, establishing sugar plantations that relied on enslaved African labor. The abolition of slavery in 1834 brought limited freedoms, but political control remained with Britain. Following decades of constitutional negotiations and growing nationalism led by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, the islands achieved full independence on November 1, 1981, with Vere Cornwall Bird becoming the nation's first prime minister. November 1 is celebrated as Independence Day, marking the nation's emergence as a sovereign state in the Caribbean.
How It's Celebrated
Celebrate by learning more about the occasion, sharing on social media with relevant hashtags, participating in community events, or taking small personal actions that align with the day's theme.