KINGSTON, Jamaica— Culture Minister Olivia Grange has announced that Wednesday, October 11 will be observed as Paul Bogle Day.

The day will be observed annually.

Grange made the announcement Tuesday in the House of Representatives as she outlined plans for National Heritage Week, being observed this week.

“It has been the custom in our country to pause annually at this time of the year to reflect on the contribution of our national heroes who, by virtue of their unbridled bravery, fierce determination and patriotic zeal, led the process to secure our freedom and later our independence, and brought autonomy, pride and self-confidence to Jamaica, land we love,” Grange said.

She told the House that “in response to my request, Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General of Jamaica, has issued a proclamation that as of this year, Wednesday, October 11… will be observed annually as Paul Bogle Day”.

The culture minister noted that Bogle assumed leadership among the peasantry of his community and parish (St Thomas) and engaged them in a series of actions aimed at peaceful resolution of the situation.

“On one occasion, Bogle endured the arduous 45-mile journey from Stony Gut (in St Thomas) to Spanish Town (in St Catherine) to seek audience with the then Governor, who refused to see him. Undaunted by this rebuke, Bogle decided to engage in mass protestation as he sought to confront the conditions of the people of St Thomas, and Jamaica in general. It was one such march on October 11 from Stony Gut to Morant Bay that led to incursions and skirmishes with the State and which culminated in the courthouse being burned to the ground in what became the Morant Bay War,” Grange outlined.

She said Bogle had aligned his destiny with the struggles of his people and for that he was executed on October 23, 1865.

Grange added: “I am pleased to be able to proclaim Paul Bogle Day even as some of the dreams of Paul Bogle for better working and livable conditions of the people of St Thomas are coming to pass. The story is told that the Jamaica House of Assembly passed a resolution in 1865 to punish the people of St Thomas for their action, determined that the parish would see very little development,” she said.

She added: “We as a government have broken that curse. Very soon, the people of St Thomas will have greater access to the commercial centre of our country by way of a new highway. This will no doubt enhance the quality of life for the people of St Thomas going forward.”