INDEPENDENCE is the ability to function in a given area without depending upon the help of another. Independence in reading and writing is the ability to read and write anything one can say or understand in his or her own language, without depending upon another’s help. We all, at one time or another, crave our independence. Even the baby, when weaned, has automatically exercised his right to be independent of the breast, even though he may not know why he has rejected his mother’s milk.
When we leave school and we chose to work, it is our right to do so.  When we leave home to get married or to live on our own, this is what we are gaining — our independence; and even when we leave the job or the wife or husband, it is our choice.
By the same token, whether or not we choose to follow some spiritual doctrine, it is still our independent choice.
Who does not want to be independent? Research has shown that, relative to nations, independence is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation’s assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony, or part of another nation or state. Most countries observe their respective independence day as a national holiday.
The way Independence Day is celebrated may differ from country to country. India, for example, celebrates independence on the 15th of August, having obtained its independence from the British Monarchy in 1947. That day is treated as a national holiday, and everywhere in that country, the ceremony of flag hoisting is conducted by all local and national administration.
The major event on this day is conducted in New Delhi, which is known as the capital of India, where the Prime Minister hoists the Indian flag at the Red Fort, and delivers a speech based on the history of Independence Day.
According to the World Book Encyclopaedia, Independence Day for the United States of America was first observed in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania on July 4, 1776.  The Declaration was read, bells were rung, bands were played, and the people rejoiced. Independence Day has been celebrated throughout the country since then as a national holiday. The day of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4th 1776, each year in the United States and its possessions has become the nation’s birthday.  Americans traditionally celebrate the holiday with family outings that conclude with colourful displays of fireworks.
Sovereign Guyana’s first constitution came into existence on the day of freedom itself, May 26, 1966. It endorsed the opinion that Guyana was a self-governing country established on a particular statute of law. At present, the people of Guyana observe Independence Day here and in nations across the world, including Canada, which houses thousands of members of the Guyanese Diaspora.
The yearly celebrations start with the Guyana Awards Gala in the third week of May, and then the Guyana Heritage celebrations follow. The observations end with the Independence Festival in the second to last weekend in June.

The Guyana Heritage Celebrations were previously known as the Cross Canada Celebrations. The Guyana Consulate started the event as a means of bringing associations and smaller Guyanese-Canadian societies to participate in the yearly independence festivities, irrespective of their place of residence in Canada.
Every year, scores of programs are organized across Canada to commemorate this important occasion. These cultural events are encouraged and organized by the Office of the Consulate General.
The Independence Festival was started in 1995, and has since been successful in building friendship and unity among Guyanese people from all tiers of the society, and from all territories of the country. Of late, the carnival has drawn participants from the United States, United Kingdom, Guyana and the Caribbean. With a yearly turnout of about 10,000, the carnival has garnered the merit of being the biggest yearly congregation of Guyanese people away from Guyana.
This year marks 46 years since Guyana became an independent nation, and in the process began identifying itself with the rest of the world through its own national identity. Over the past 30 years, Guyana’s symbols of nationhood – the National Flag or the Golden Arrowhead, Coat of Arms, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and Song of the Republic — have all remained unique in design and presentation.

Guyana’s Independence Day is observed across the country. It is an occasion observed with all revelry and colour. All the residents of the country assemble to witness the flag-raising ceremony, fireworks, listen to the presidential address, participate in other festivities, and have a good time.
The European voyagers discovered Guyana in 1498. As a result, the history of the country dates back to over 500 years. The history of the nation is interrupted by combats wrestled and triumphed, properties lost and recovered, since the French, Spanish, Dutch and British settlers battled for hundreds of years to occupy this territory. The British Empire ultimately was able to take control of the country in 1814. Guyana achieved its independence from the British rulers on May 26, 1966. The world has since become more and more interdependent. Much talk is going on about the global economy. Despite this, however, Guyana has come a long way, and has made considerable strides in development.
Investors are fearless as they put their monies to work, and companies are not encouraging differences of race, nationality or religion to dictate their terms of employment. And, most of all, it is by dint of hard work that we won accreditation in the area of environment and climate change. This tells us that we have taken a step in the right direction.
Perhaps Guyana should now look forward to doing as Paul, in Philippians 4:13(b) and 14 said: “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those which are ahead. I press forward to the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Deo Gratius!
Good luck Guyana, on this your 46th Independence Anniversary!