The Bahamas today celebrates 40 years of Independence from Great Britain. We salute the Government and the People of The Bahamas on this proud day for all.

##HAPPY INDEPENDENCE, BAHAMAS##

On May 31 when the Prime Minister issued the “40-Day Countdown Proclamation”, note was taken that Bahamians have come to view the attainment of Independence on July 10, 1973 as the third in a trilogy of historically significant national events to have taken place in The Bahamas – after Emancipation and Majority Rule. The Independence Committee at that time also launched a [series of events](http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Bahamas%2040th%20Independence%20Celebrations/!ut/p/b1/vZTJjqMwFEW_pT6AwiaMS1IEwmAwg0nwJiKQAUICCSEEvr5TrZZ6kCrVi662F5al83z17rUeS9klS0_prdil16I-pdX7nYqrCTCQqvIyMgQgApNgR8XSnPOg8ACSBwA-WCp4Wm9z7IJdRgl312qzN8xg2_jXEkDbh7puuapk3H2yIMpZg-0O18kEr2V8yG650m30mTNpnJTATW4uZDyIt_w8m4U1QV2UvzXnbN4N0naNPWaFMd1o3nowzhQ7XdDzdUaRnm61aWvVCz0pdB1XF3dqZol1fZzFRswuweB6F5OmJL5M9LrTqTuS1sHRvqoTao-4UZjdTOn3evHDgydN_pWHHwE8-Kx-wdKnyPsL34FnMX0WlDuvjxs2eWDSL1gUA2BCoAYh9IHsQjZil4BfheXQmONhDMoxQOFIzXAMB6iR_lpqoUsO0M09iDRzBFGMoktshqVuR2Vso-sa53FApurb8pjg1Z-CHhcpD8E3KNpEACHgv1rQEDz5YYQUYVXggOHB_y04-a-WGtgDX97hb5-G9_99hhZLi_Xxtc-Or-BVVkQoSDKvyCLgeVli4zIRFa01e-194JCrYewUtNZVa68GRRLu84OFUit2mMo6czcNTPU26XJBUXoBtkIG-oYHqpojAOO1sHiMowQnnaZaYXnh1Pn-JFSkUMt61rTewCDHbae0vzGT28j0XX9feju_yjUYGp6wdbaCpUxSVyuJzU2jJUE4JOdZGcRaVIVGfjIiCWbXo1y4YaB1_h2hyBP5w6q6zMQE-MwQyvsjzVA5nCi9LqMy3baGrzK177-8sM2R3GxHDOY9lH_u_uUbU2VzHg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/) leading up to the milestone in Bahamian history, all under the theme: *The Bridge to the Future…The Journey Continues*. Events culminated in the Pre Independence Gala Celebrations at Fort Charlotte last evening, continuing through today with the People’s Junkanoo Rush Out and the formal Independence Reception at Government House.