The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 63 years of independence today, 31 August. The island of Trinidad was a Spanish colony from 1498, when Christopher Columbus arrived, until February 18 1797, when the British landed with a fleet of 18 warships, leading to the capitulation of Governor Don José Maria Chacón. At that time, Trinidad had a population of 17,718, including 1,082 Amerindians, 2,151 people of European ancestry, 4,476 free blacks and people of colour, and 10,009 enslaved Africans. Tobago, the cigar-shaped island, was controlled by various European powers, including the British, Dutch, French, and Spanish, before becoming part of the British colony of Trinidad and Tobago in 1889.
On August 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago lowered the British flag and raised the now-iconic black, red, and white national flag, led by its first Prime Minister, Eric Williams. Williams, widely regarded as the “Father of the Nation” and leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM), served as Prime Minister from 1956 until he died in 1981. On August 1, 1976, also known as Emancipation Day, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth, severing its formal ties with the British monarchy.
In April 2025, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the country’s first and only female Prime Minister, began her second term after her United National Congress–led coalition won the general election, succeeding Dr. Keith Rowley of the PNM.
While Independence Day is traditionally celebrated with a grand military parade at Queen’s Park Savannah, cultural festivities, steelband music, and fireworks, these were cancelled in 2025 due to security and budget concerns amidst a state of emergency. The day will instead be observed as a National Day of Prayer and Reflection, preserving the nation’s spirit of unity and patriotism. The national motto, “Together we aspire. Together we achieve,” proudly embodies the country’s ongoing journey.
