Battle of St George's Caye

In September, Belizeans celebrate their nation's history with patriotic events. This month commemorates the Battle of St. George's Caye and Belize's Independence Day. This year's theme for the September Celebrations is "Valiant and Bold, Proud and Free! Belize @ 43," reflecting the nation's spirit of unity, courage, and freedom. The festivities started with flag-raising ceremonies across the county for National Flag Day. On Sunday, September 1st, at 6AM, community members, local authorities, and proud Belizeans gathered at Central Park for the ceremonial event opening the September Celebrations. As the first rays of sunlight lit up the park, voices sang the national anthem as the Belizean flag rose into the sky.

On Friday, September 15th, students across Belize participated in the annual Children's Rally. In San Pedro Town, the patriotic event, part of the September Celebrations, the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) students participate in a colorful parade through the main streets. The San Pedro High School (SPHS) student body and upper-division students from other schools across the island enjoyed activities at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium.

While across the country on Sunday, September 10th, Belizeans were celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, a group of Belizeans headed to the Sarstoon River on the southern border with Guatemala to celebrate the occasion with a flag-raising ceremony. The event was spearheaded by the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), and as on previous occasions, it was interrupted by the Guatemalan armed forces. The BTV said the Guatemalan military personnel removed three Belizean flags planted on Belize’s soil. The Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to respond to this latest incident, but the Opposition issued a statement condemning the actions by the Guatemalan military.

September is here, bringing with it the patriotic celebrations commemorating the 224th anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and Belize’s 41st Independence Day celebration. The patriotic month was welcomed across the country with the annual flag-raising ceremony. In San Pedro Town the San Pedro Town Council held the annual ceremony at 6AM on September 1st at Central Park. The event saw the presence of local authorities and proud Belizeans who together sang the national anthem while the flag was hoisted.

For the first time since the height of the pandemic, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye will be the venue for a spectacular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight night dubbed 501 Fight Night I: Genesis. The event will take place on the patriotic anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye on September 10th at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. Doors will open at 5PM for a night of adrenaline with eight different fights.

The long holiday weekend to honor the anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye usually sees much festivity on the island. However, after the public was warned not to participate in mass gatherings and social events, the town was tranquil.

As Belizeans get ready to observe the 223rd anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and enjoy a long holiday weekend, the Belize Police Department reminds every one of the COVID-19 regulations laid down in Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 74 of 2021, which prohibits social gatherings and similar events.

All Belizeans living at home, or abroad, are invited to submit their ideas for the theme of the 2019 September Celebrations in commemoration of the 221st Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 38th Anniversary of Belize’s Independence.