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Independence in The Bahamas
 The first political parties were formed in the 1950s and the British made The Bahamas internally self-governing in 1964, with Roland Symonette of the United Bahamian Party as the first Premier. In 1967 The Hon. Lynden Pindling (later Sir Lynden Pindling), of the Progressive Liberal Party became the first black Premier of the colony, and in 1968 the title was changed to Prime Minister. On July 10th 1973, at Midnight the Union Jack was lowered and replaced by the New Bahamian Flag of Gold, Black and Blue, though The Bahamas became fully independent, it retained its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. In August of the same year Sir Milo Butler (See photo on the left) was appointed the first black governor-general, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II appointed by the Prime Minister.
Between 1973 and 1992 Sir Lynden Pindling would remain as Prime Minister, during which time the Country would’ve seen three official visits by Queen Elizabeth II and the death of its first Bahamian Governor General. The country continued its transformation in moving forward, including the implementation of the National Insurance Board to provide social security for Bahamians.
In August of 1992 The Bahamas saw a change in Government when the opposing Free National Movement Party lead by former Pindling Protégé Hubert Alexander Ingraham, the party would go on to win a second term as Governing Party in 2007. During their decade as Governing Party the country once again went through a transformation; government-owned hotels were encouraged into privatization, airways were opened which lead to private radio stations opening, ending the government's broadcast monopoly. The FNM also introduced local government and encouraged inward investment to grow the economy another boost to the economy came from the installation of a container port in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
In 2002, with new leader Perry Gladstone Christie, the Progressive Liberal Party once again returned to power. A term which lasted only five years; during their short tenure the party implemented the Urban Renewal Program, National Youth Service and incorporated the Clifton Heritage Authority to oversee the Clifton Heritage Park located in Western district of New Providence.
May 2nd 2007, the Free National Movement was once again elected as Governing Party, with Hubert Ingraham as leader.
Based on the twin pillars of tourism and offshore finance, the Bahamian economy has prospered since the 1900’s. However, there remain significant challenges in areas such as education, health care, and illegal immigration from Haiti. The luring beauty of The Bahama Islands with its ever evolving history continues to remain a source of immortal fascination for scholars and treasure hunters alike.
Download The Bahamas Constitution, 1973 (PDF File)
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