Jamaica's Independence Day, one of the most celebrated events in the Caribbean Sea's island country, was recently observed in different Florida cities. The 'Jamaica 60' event will also be celebrated in various U.S. states until the 2nd week of August.
'Jamaica 60' Celebration in U.S.
From late July until the 2nd week of August, various states have celebrated the 'Jamaica 60' event in different kinds of gatherings.
In Florida, some cities like Sunrise and Fort Lauderdale shared joy with the Jamaicans by conducting a series of special events in line with their Independence Day.
According to the Jamaica Information Service report, The Faith Center at 95th Ave. in Sunrise, Florida, a few miles away from Miami, was one of the first groups to celebrate the 'Jamaica 60' event. It was held on Sunday, July 31, at 4 p.m.
The Jamaica Consulate-General in Miami reportedly hosted the gathering, which featured an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving.
Ptr. Andrew Samuels, the current chief executive director of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, led the service.
Per his profile page on the church website, the pastor is a native Jamaican. At 20, he migrated to the United States to pursue his calling in serving the Lord.
Since 1988, Pastor Samuels has served as the main church leader at Miami Seventh Day Baptist Church in Florida.
Meanwhile, The Faith Center in Sunrise is originally from Brooklyn, New York City, but then moved to Florida.
According to its page, the church was first founded in 1991 by pastor couple Henry and Carol Fernandez.
Formerly known as the Plantation Worship Center, The Faith Center continued to grow in membership, reaching over 10,000 people since 2002.
Aside from The Faith Center, the report entailed that the Marriott Hotel in Fort Lauderdale hosted another 'Jamaica 60' event.
Held on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m., the said gathering entitled 'Jamaica's Diamond Independence Jubilee Gala' was hosted by various groups, mainly the Jamaica United Relief Association (JURA) and the Consulate-General.
A day after that, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m., Sunrise hosted another Jamaican Independence Day event called the Jamaica Flag Raising Ceremony at Lauderhill Sports Club on Oakland Blvd.
The second event, Jamaica Independence Motorcade, was then held with Fort Lauderdale officials and the Consulate-General.
Other states commemorating Jamaican Independence Day are New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and many more.
What Is 'Jamaica 60'?
According to the Visit Jamaica website, the 'Jamaica 60' currently being held in different parts of the world is the annual celebration of Jamaica's Independence Day. This year is the 60th year of independence.
National Today website said that Jamaica Independence Day is held every Aug. 6.
This is deemed a special event for Jamaicans to remember how they were freed under British power in 1962.
Alexander Bustamante was the first elected prime minister of the island country.
He was also the leader of the famous 'Jamaica Labour Party,' a group that voted for the country's independence and its countrymen.
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