Posted: Sunday, January 15, 2017. 8:45 p.m. CST.
By BBN Staff: George Cadle Price, Belize’s first Prime Minister, true Belizean patriot and national hero, was born on January 15, 1919 and would have been 98 years old today.
Yesterday, a memorial mass and wreath laying ceremony was held in Belmopan in celebration of the life and birthday of the Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price.
In 1947, Price won his first municipal election and served as Mayor of Belize City. After Belize’s currency was devalued in 1949, he and a group of politicians founded the People’s Committee which would become the People’s United Party in September of 1950.
Under the PUP, Price served as a Member of the Legislative Council from 1954-1961, the Legislative Assembly from 1961 to 1964 and First Minister during the 1961 to 1964 period
When Belize obtained self government in 1964, Price became Belize’s first Premier and served in the House of Representatives for 20 consecutive years until 1984 when he lost his first elections. He served as Prime Minister of Belize from 1981 to 1984, and 1989 to 1993.
Price was relentless in his quest to see Belize as an independent country and under his leadership, the PUP led a campaign to garner international support for Belize’s Independence.
On a glorious September 21, 1981, Belize officially became independent and joined the United Nations.
George Cadle Price was declared a National Hero by the Government of Belize, awarded the Jose Marti Award – Cuba’s Highest Award by President Fidel Castro, and he is also a recipient of the Order of the Caribbean Community.
Both the PUP and UDP, as well as Belizeans of all walks of life, commonly refer to Price as the Father of the Nation due to his devotion to the people and country of Belize.
The Father of the Nation passed away on September 19, 2011.
A national day of service is commemorated annually on September 19 in his honor.
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