V.C. Bird Day in Antigua and Barbuda honours Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr., the nation's first Prime Minister and a central figure in its journey to independence. Widely regarded as the "Father of the Nation," Sir Vere Bird led the labour movement that improved workers' rights and guided the country from colonial rule to self-government and independence in 1981.

When is V.C. Bird Day?

V.C. Bird Day in Antigua and Barbuda is celebrated on December 9 each year.

The following is the list of V.C. Bird Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of V.C. Bird Day?

V.C. Bird Day celebrates the life and legacy of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr., one of Antigua and Barbuda's most influential political leaders and the country's first Prime Minister. Often called the "Father of the Nation", his leadership shaped the twin-island state's transformation from colonial rule to full independence.

Sir Vere Bird was born on December 9, 1910, in St. John's, Antigua. Coming from humble beginnings, he rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s as a labour activist and advocate for workers' rights. During this period, working conditions on the sugar plantations were extremely harsh, with low wages and limited freedoms for the predominantly Black labour force. Bird became a founding member of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATLU) in 1939, which played a pivotal role in improving wages, working hours, and living standards for Antiguans and Barbudans.

Transitioning from union leadership to politics, Bird led the Antigua Labour Party (ALP), established in 1946, and became the central figure in the islands' political development. Under his leadership, Antigua gained self-government in 1967 and ultimately achieved independence from Britain on November 1, 1981, with Bird serving as the independent nation's first Prime Minister.

Following his retirement from politics in 1994 and his passing in 1999, the government declared December 9, his birthday, a national public holiday known as V.C. Bird Day. The day honors his immense contributions to the country's social progress, labour movement, and nation-building efforts.

Today, V.C. Bird Day is marked by official ceremonies, speeches and cultural events across Antigua and Barbuda. Citizens pay tribute at his statue in St. John's, schools host educational programs, and communities reflect on the values of leadership, perseverance, and unity that defined Sir Vere Cornwall Bird's remarkable life and legacy.