Randol Fawkes Labour Day (The Bahamas)

Randol Fawkes Labour Day is a public holiday in the Bahamas, and it is observed on the first Friday in June each year. The holiday commemorates the workers in the Bahamas and also honors Randol Fawkes, a Bahamian politician.

Randol Fawkes was born on March 20, 1924. He was nicknamed the father of labor and established Labor Day in 1961. He is best known for the part swinging the Bahamas' 1967 general election.

The majority of the Bahamas population was black, but the predominantly white United Bahamian Party (UBP) led the government in the 1960s. In the 1967 general election, of the 38 seats, both the black Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the ruling white United Bahamian Party (UBP) won 18 seats. Fawkes won one seat as the leader of the Labour Party.

Another independent won one seat but he cannot exercise his vote after becoming the speaker. Fawkes exercised his seat to the black Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which made the Bahamas the first time run by a black government.

Because of his significant contributions to the country, Fawkes was knighted by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in 1978. In 2020, he has rewarded the Order of National Heroes.

A large parade is celebrated in downtown Nassau during the holiday which is led by bands and junkanoo providing live music for spectators and marchers.

The following is the list of Randol Fawkes Labour Day in the Bahamas from 2022 to 2026.

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