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September 21 Belize

gains political Independence. George Price becomes Belize’s first Prime Minister.

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USA changes its position to favor Belize’s Independence at the United Nations

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The President of Panama, Omar Torrijos, was persuaded to support our cause. He actively campaigned among other Latin American countries. Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina and Peru joined the support in 1977.

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At the U.N. the only Spanish-speaking Latin American country that supported Belize was Cuba.

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George Price creates the Independence Secretariat to coordinate the internationalization efforts for Belize’s Independence

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Self Government

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The devaluation of

the Belize dollar, on December 31, 1949, resulted in the immediate worsening of the workers' situation. Formation of the People’s Committee that would become the People’s United Party (PUP) on 29 September 1950.

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Antonio Soberanis formed the Labourers and Unemployed Association (LUA). organized a picket of the B.E.C. sawmill to convince its workers to strike for more pay. On October 1, 1934 the picket turned into a riot.

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The 1931 Belize

hurricane was a devastating Category 4 tropical cyclone that struck British

Honduras on 10 September 1931, killing an estimated 2,500 people.

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In 1919, when black Belizean servicemen returned from fighting in Europe during World War I, they rioted to protest the unequal, racist treatment they had received while fighting a war for the British.

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In late 1894 when the mahogany workers returned to Belize Town from the camps, they felt the effects of a currency devaluation. Under the leadership of John Alexander Tom, they rioted. They broke store windows and looted.

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The "Masters and Servants" laws of 1852 and 1885 were very harsh.

It imposed a penalty of three months in jail with hard labour for

anyone who did not work according to his contract.

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Before 1862, the territory was under the vice-regency of the

Governor of Jamaica, and administered by a Superintendent.

British Honduras was established as a colony in 1862 and was

administered by a Lieutenant Governor, still subordinate to

Jamaica.