Independence Day is a public holiday in Barbados, and it is observed on November 30 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Barbados gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.
Barbados is an island country in the Caribbean region of North America. Spanish navigators first arrived in the 15th century, and the Portuguese Empire claimed in 1532. However, the British occupied the island in 1625 after the Portuguese Empire abandoned in 1620.
The settlers from England arrived in 1627 and operated on the plantation economy relying on enslaved Africans. The harsh conditions endured by the slaves often resulted in rebellions, and the situation continued until the abolition of slavery in 1834.
In the 1930s, demanding better conditions for workers, vote rights and other improvements led to the establishment of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP). In 1955, a group of left-leaning politicians left the BLP and formed the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), which won the 1961 election and the party's leader Errol Barrow became the Premier of Barbados.
Barbados became one of the members when the West Indies Federation was formed on January 3, 1958, but returned as a British colony when the federal was dissolved in 1962.
On November 30, 1966, Barbados gained its independence from the British, and Errol Barrow became the first prime minister.
The following is the list of Independence Day in Barbados from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | Nov 30, 2022 | Wednesday |
| Independence Day | Nov 30, 2023 | Thursday |
| Independence Day | Nov 30, 2024 | Saturday |
| Independence Day | Nov 30, 2025 | Sunday |
| Independence Day | Nov 30, 2026 | Monday |
Please check more public holidays in Barbados: