Aerial view of north St. George's Caye & nearby cayes
The Significance of the 10th of September
Today marks the 216th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. The day has been a bone of contention as some believe the battle never happened. Historian, Fred Hunter Sr spoke to us about the significance of the day and some of the controversy surrounding the day.
Historian Fred Hunter
“The whole country celebrated the 10th. 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, it was between the 50's and the 60's because when the movement of independence started every 10th the PUP’s would take a wreath and lay it on Simon Lamb’s grave because he was the man who started the centenary of the 10th. Because when the people now say there was no celebration of the 10th until the 100 celebration. No. Thirty years after the 10th there was also a celebration. 1798 to 1818, 1828 that was the first celebration of the 10th. Those who lived it experienced it. When the 100th anniversary came Simon Lamb being a patriot or what you want to call it, realized the importance of the tenth. If it wasn’t for the tenth, if the tenth wasn’t fought and wasn’t successful we would be a part of Quintana Roo today.
The tenth day of September
It was the 10th day of September In ninety-eight Anno Domini
when our fore-fathers won the
glorious fight at Old St. George’s Caye
Then hail them – cheer them.
Let our grateful loyal hearts not fail them,
as we march and sing and shout in merry glee
The Battle of St. George’s Caye.
Hip! Hip! Hurrah. Hip! Hip! Hurrah.
Photographs by Marlena Gomez
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