I am writing in response to the recent attempts by certain Officials to rewrite our history and in particular reflect on the history and why we celebrate Anguilla Day on May 30th.
By now most Anguillians would say that May 30th is the day that we severed ties with St. Kitts and Nevis and declared our independence from them. In fact, to be more precise, it is the day that we forcibly sent the St. Kitts Police on Anguilla at the time, back home to Bradshaw. It was the day that Anguilla mutinied against the Government.
I guess we could go on celebrating this day. After all there is a Guy Fawkes Day too in England, and we know who and what he was about; which brings me to the point I want to make.
On the 11th of July 1967 the Anguilla Peace Keeping Committee held a referendum to ascertain Anguilla’s independence from St. Kitts. The results were 1813 votes in favour of independence from St. Kitts and 5 against. The Chairman of the Peace Keeping Committee, Mr. Walter Hodge, issued the following statement:
“You have heard the results of today’s referendum. The people of Anguilla have spoken. The decision is overwhelming. The decision is final. Anguilla is now absolutely and conclusively independent from St. Kitts. Today’s decision will never be undone. No Government could ever return this island to St. Kitts against the wishes of the people so clearly expressed.
"We call on the people of St. Kitts to accept this decision. We ask them to recognize our equality and our independence. They may think that we have made a mistake, but we have a right to our independence, and we have decided.
"Having completely severed our legal ties with St. Kitts, there is now no legal arrangement with Britain. Legally, we are wholly independent and adrift; but we have ties with Britain that no legal independence can sever. The ties of history and tradition, the ties of common interest and common language hold us still.
"Our first international task is to explore with Britain, legal arrangements that might be appropriate for the future. The history of the British Empire and the Commonwealth gives us high hopes that we as others can enjoy both freedom and allegiance to the Crown. We humbly beg our Queen and the people of Britain to talk with us about sharing the future.
"Although Anguilla is small, Anguilla is not alone. We have received much support. On behalf of the people of Anguilla, I would like to thank those who have already given us financial aid and other assistance; assistance which is both deeply needed and deeply appreciated.
"Today the people of Anguilla have confirmed the independence of Anguilla.
"It is hereby proclaimed that today, July 11th 1967, shall be Independence Day for Anguilla. This is the day on which the people of the island shall henceforth regularly celebrate their freedom. Anguilla has today shown the world that a place does not have to be Big to be Free”.

The foregoing excerpt was taken from The Beacon newspaper as re-printed on July 11th 1969.

Patterson Hunte.

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