The site of the raising of the national flag and the lowering of the Union Jack was scheduled to be Jamaica’s National Stadium and 59 years ago on August 4, it was ready. Since then the National Stadium has been witness to a number of historic moments, but here The Gleaner talks about how it all began.

Published Sunday, August 5, 1962

Princess Opens Stadium

Youth Rally emphasizes our future

WITH Jamaica poised on the eve of the Independence, HRH, Princess Margaret on August 4, officiated at a number of preliminary but significant programmes in the schedule of the celebrations.

Most important was the opening of the National Stadium where on August 5 at midnight there will be the flag-raising to mark the island’s coming of age as a nation.

In the morning the Princess had visited the University College of the West Indies, met the Press and had visited the Polio Rehabilitation Centre. On all these occasions the island’s forthcoming Independence was stressed, but it was deeply emphasized, where despite early heavy rains the youth rally of the island’s children was promoted at the National Stadium shortly after the Princess had officially declared the Stadium open.

On the night of August 4, there was a reception at King’s House in honour of the Princess and her husband, the Right Honourable the Earl of Snowdon.

At the youth rally, a call to the young people of Jamaica to realize that the future of “our country will rest in their hands alone”, was made by the Princess in replying to a speech by the Minister of Development and Culture, the Hon. Edward Seaga, who before inviting the Princess to declare the Stadium open, asked her to accept a commemorative gold medal to mark “this great occasion” from Mr Herbert Macdonald, Chairman of National Sports Limited.

After expressing her pleasure in opening the Stadium, Her Royal Highness unveiled the Olympic Statue, executed by Mr Alvin T. Marriott, Jamaican Sculptor, by pressing a button that was connected to an electrically operated hoist.

The Princess and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, were met on arrival by the Premier Sir Alexander Bustamante, the Hon. Edward Seaga, the Hon. Edwin Allen, Minister of Education and Mr Herbert Macdonald.

In the Royal Party were the Governor Sir Kenneth Blackburne, Jean and Martin Blackburne, and members of the Royal household.

Despite the rains, about 20,000 persons including adults and children witnessed the official opening.

Lending colour to the occasion and awaiting the arrival of the Royal Party were detachments of Cadets, girl guides, cub mistresses, girls guide, scouts, boys brigade, St. Johns Ambulance Brigade Cadets, and 4-H Clubs in semi-circular formation on the cycle track.

On hand too, were members of the Jamaica Military Band, under the direction of Mr E. L. Stewart, Director of Music. 

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