And while that was to pay homage to the memory of George Price, the statesman and father of the nation, our next story is about Price the young radical. It's a side of the revered Mr Price that is rarely discussed - but as a young political activist - he was a constant headache for the colonial administration.
Precious black and white film footage from 1963 recently obtained by 7News captures a young George Price on the rostrum - as it was called - talking to his supporters at a public meeting. It is a rare live action glimpse at Premier Price doing the work of nation building in real time. We present that tonight, on this independence eve - to give you a look at the man who first said the word from way down in the the 60's all the way up to the 80's:
Belize - then British Honduras - attained self government on December 31st, 1963 - and all these PUP supporters gathered outside of the building we now know as the Courthouse - but what was then the colony's Assembly chamber? They hailed the transition to self government - but inside the Chamber, the relentless Premier George Price goaded Governor Peter Stallard by talking about the next step, independence:
Premier George Price
"Cabinet ministers, members of the assembly and the people of the country are grateful to our governor His Excellency Sir Peter Stallard often referred to by me as the governor of independence."
Applause in the chamber but a stony silence on the throne from the British Governor and Chief Justice.
Outside, the crowds demonstrated their support with PUP signs and watched as the governor slid away with his security escort in tow.
Price's time to talk to them would come on the rostrum at the public meeting:
Premier George Price
"...These 13 years shouting self government now, but we should stop shouting self government now and begin to shout independence now. That is the lecture. So that is the battle cry now, self government is a fact. Its just that we have to put into effect. But then we go on, we dont stand still, we are not stagnant, we are moving, we are dynamic, we are going now to independence - the road to independence."
As this never before seen footage shows - the then 44 year old Price - 13 years into the nationalist movement - held a rapt audience of loyal followers in his hands - they seemed to hang on every word - wearing his customary guayabera their leader seemed luminous set against the night sky…a mesmerizing moment captured in stunning black and white film:
Premier George Price
"We, in building a nation will need 3 tools; a flag, the name of a country` and a national anthem. PUP - all the way. Que Viva Belice."
And while he spoke of Independence - it would be another almost two decades before it was realized - on September 21st 1981 - Price finally had the last of those three tools - a flag which was proudly hoisted, as the Union Jack came down for the last time in Belize.
The footage was captured as part of a 30 minute British documentary named, "Belize: End of the World" directed by Peter Davis and released in 1964.
