Majority Rule Day is a national public holiday in The Bahamas, and it marks a turning point in Bahamian history when, for the first time, the government reflected the will and voice of the majority Black population.

When is Majority Rule Day?

Majority Rule Day is celebrated annually on January 10.

The following is the list of Majority Rule Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Majority Rule Day?

Before 1967, political power in The Bahamas was held almost exclusively by a wealthy white merchant class known as the "Bay Street Boys". Although Black Bahamians made up the vast majority of the population.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, the rise of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) began to challenge the status quo. The PLP aimed to promote civil rights and full political participation for all Bahamians.

On January 10, 1967, a tightly contested general election resulted in a tie: 18 seats for the ruling United Bahamian Party (UBP) and 18 seats for the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

The deadlock was broken when independent Alvin Braynen and Labour leader Randol Fawkes threw their support behind the PLP. This gave the PLP a slim majority of 20 to 18, allowing them to form the first government led by representatives of the Black majority.

In 2014, following public pressure to officially recognize the day's importance in the nation's civil rights and democratic development, Majority Rule Day was only declared a national holiday.