Co-chair of the 40th Independence Anniversary Committee Charles Charter (left) announced the Calendar of Events in Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary at a press conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture April 8, 2013. (BIS photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

The 40th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations Committee launched the calendar of events in commemoration of the 40th anniversary at a press conference at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture April 8, 2013.

Co-chair of the 40th Independence Anniversary Committee Charles Charter said the calendar of events include an extensive variety of celebratory activities from homecomings, regattas, annual festivals, concerts, sporting events and official state ceremonies.

Carter said the committee will hold press conferences every Monday at the Ministry of Youth to update the public on the events or to announce changes in the itinerary.

He noted that events for the 40th Anniversary started in November 2012, with the naming of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge and will continue to Boxing Day Junkanoo December 2013.

“This anniversary allows us abundant opportunities to tell and retell our stories to a new generation of Bahamians who would need to appreciate that the journey to nationhood started long before them, but requires that they continue its development and ignite our country’s future with the inspiration only true Bahamians could give it,” Carter said.

He also introduced Dr Tracey Thompson, who will replace Nicolette Bethel as co-chair of the committee.

Head of the secretariat for the 40th Bahamas independence celebrations Jack Thompson announced that the secretariat would be fully operational April 11, 2013. It will be responsible for the day-to-day operations.

The secretariat will be open five days a week and is located at The Bahamas Law Enforcement Cooperative Credit Union Building. The telephone number is 356-2100/356-2104; and the fax number is 356-2135.

Thompson added that the 40th Bahamas independence celebrations website would be launched April 11 or April 15 the latest.

The website will include the calendar of events, as well as information pertaining to the history and future of The Bahamas.

Upcoming events for April include The Islands of The Bahamas Chris Brown Invitational Meet (April 13); Education Patrons Day Assembly (April 16); the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Beat Retreat 33rd Anniversary (April 21); and the National Family Island Regatta and Junkanoo in Exuma (April 23 -27).