On the 14 to the 16th of October Jamaica celebrates National Heroes Weekend. This is a grand spectacle in the life of the country where we pause to celebrate the life and work of the heroes and heroine that fought relentlessly for the rights and privileges that we now enjoy. For this year 2006, Jamaica will be celebrating National Heroes Day on the 16th of October. At this occasion one will be able to see float parades, live performances of folk and cultural dance forms; for example Dinkie Minnie, Brukkings, Quadrille, May poll etc.
It is at this time of the year too that children are able to learn about the contributions that these heroes and heroine have made to their country and so all weekend long there are documentaries on the national station showing the way in which they lived their lives.
To show our gratitude to the heroes of our country, we erected a park in their honour. At this park one will be able to see the tombs of all the national heroes and heroine. Present at each tomb is an art piece or a sculpture that is done specifically to fit the characters and the lives that they all lead. The name of the park is National Heroes Circle. It is at this location too that on this day the Diplomatic corpse and the members of parliament join to recognize the lives of the heroes and heroine by the laying of wreaths at each of their graves. These solemn moments are accompanied by the singing of the national anthem, national song and the saying of the national pledge.
The heroes are comprised of six males and one heroine. Their names include Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Sir Alexander Bustamante, William Gordon, Paul Bogle, Sam Sharpe, Norman Washington Manley and Nanny of the maroons.
