Belize Celebrates its Forty-fourth Independence

On September twenty-first, Belize celebrated its forty-fourth year of independence. The ceremony featured performances by the Belize Defense Force band and speeches from national leaders. At the steps of the Supreme Court, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner highlighted the country’s achievements while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton, compared Belize at forty-four to adulthood, calling on citizens to take responsibility and drive positive change. Under this year’s theme, “Stronger Together, Rising Forever,” the Prime Minister honored our forefathers, national heroes, and the sacrifices that paved the way for independence. Belizeans were reminded to embrace unity in diversity as the nation continues to develop.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Together we build and continue to build upon a young yet proud legacy of social, economic, and environmental justice. The work is far from complete nation building is never complete. The legacy of one generation is the foundation upon which the next generation must build.” 

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“ It means rejecting the notion that someone else will rescue us, when in truth, the job is ours to embrace. In our adult years, we have an obligation to engage our best minds to reward based on merit and not political alignment”

 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“And let us remember this. The future of Belize will not be written only in laws or in policies. It’ll be written in classrooms, on sports field, in our neighborhoods, and in the choices we all make each day, even in the digi digital space. When we log on to social media, we have a choice to spread hate and negativity, or to uplift and inspire and share knowledge.”