The 1949 Great March And Restoration Day
The 1949 Great March forced the restoration of the Virgin Islands' legislature in 1950, marking the rebirth of self-government. The holiday is celebrated as a day of unity, resilience and political awakening in the BVI.
When is the 1949 Great March And Restoration Day?
The 1949 Great March And Restoration Day is observed on the fourth Monday in November.
The following is the list of the 1949 Great March And Restoration Day from 2020 to 2049.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 22, 2021 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 28, 2022 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 27, 2023 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 25, 2024 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 24, 2025 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 23, 2026 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 22, 2027 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 27, 2028 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 26, 2029 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 25, 2030 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 24, 2031 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 22, 2032 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 28, 2033 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 27, 2034 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 26, 2035 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 24, 2036 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 23, 2037 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 22, 2038 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 28, 2039 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 26, 2040 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 25, 2041 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 24, 2042 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 23, 2043 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 28, 2044 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 27, 2045 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 26, 2046 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 25, 2047 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 23, 2048 | Monday |
| 1949 Great March And Restoration Day | Nov 22, 2049 | Monday |
The History of the 1949 Great March And Restoration Day?
Since 1901, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) had no elected legislature. The Legislative Council had been dissolved, leaving governance in the hands of a commissioner appointed by Britain and a few nominated members. This meant Virgin Islanders had no real political voice, and for decades, residents endured poor infrastructure, limited economic opportunity, and neglect from the colonial administration.
On November 24, 1949, over 1,500 Virgin Islanders (an extraordinary number, given the population at the time) marched peacefully through Road Town. The demonstration was led by three prominent figures: Theodolph Faulkner, Isaac "Glannie" Fonseca and Carlton deCastro.
The protesters carried banners and petitions, demanding better living conditions, greater representation, and an end to neglect from colonial rulers. Their grievances were formally presented to the Commissioner, making the march a pivotal act of grassroots political mobilization.
The march had immediate and historic consequences. In 1950, the British government restored the Legislative Council, nearly 50 years after it had been abolished. This marked the beginning of modern representative government in the Virgin Islands, giving locals a stronger voice in decision-making.
The event is seen as the foundation for the constitutional and political progress that followed, leading eventually to greater self-governance and the present-day House of Assembly.
In 2021, the Government of the Virgin Islands officially declared "The 1949 Great March and Restoration Day" as a public holiday.
