ALT-1 Why Grenada Celebrates Thanksgiving Day
Grenada celebrates its Thanksgiving Day on October 25, the anniversary of the 1983 American invasion of Grenada. The invasion successfully overthrew a strongly pro-Communist military coup and restored constitutional government. Thanksgiving Day is 1 of13 public holidaysin Grenada.
Background
Grenada gained its independence from Great Britain in 1974. Its first and only election prior to 1983 was held in 1976, when Sir Eric Matthew Gairy was re-elected Prime Minister of Grenada with a voter turnout of 65.2%.
Under the leadership of Maurice Bishop, many opposition parties had allied together in 1973 to form the New JEWEL Movement (NJM), where JEWEL stands for Joint Endeavour for Welfare, Education, and Liberation. By the late 1970s, the electoral coalitions under the pro-Cuban NJM held the support of the majority of Grenadians.
These opposition parties did not accept the 1976 election results. Many opposition leaders and voters had been threatened by the Mongoose Gang, Gairy's secret police. International observers also identified the election as fraudulent.
As civil conflict grew between the Gairy government and Bishop's NJM, the NJM formed the National Liberation Army (NLA), a paramilitary wing to counter the Mongoose Gang. In 1979, the New JEWEL Movement used the NLA to overthrow the government and suspend the constitution. Maurice Bishop became the new Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada. This government would last for 4 years.
During his time as Prime Minister, Bishop tried to steer a non-aligned middle course for Grenada along Marxist lines, but without allying with the Soviet Union. The NLA became the basis for a small standing army. After a brief initial arrest, Sir Paul Scoon was freed and continued as Grenada's Governor-General, which maintained Grenada's status as an independent country under the British monarchy. Bishop also encouraged private sector development of the tourist trade.
At the same time, Cuban doctors, teachers, and other professionals were invited into Grenada to develop health and literacy programs, to build a new international airport, and to expand the existing agrarian reforms of the Gairy government. Bishop had also looked elsewhere for assistance, including to the United States, and had been denied.
However, the hardline Marxist members of the NJM, including Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, did not think Bishop's policies were sufficiently revolutionary. They demanded that Bishop either step down or share power with Coard. Bishop refused. OnOctober 14, 1983, Coard seized power and placed Bishop and Scoon under house arrest.
Yet Bishop was very popular among the people of Grenada. Many demonstrations broke out across Grenada, including a large one in the capital which resulted in Bishop being set free on October 19, either by Coard or by the crowd. What happened next isnot clearly known. However, most sources agree that Bishop and his life partner were captured and executed when he tried to regain power.
The military government which followed was led by the 16-member Revolutionary Military Council. It was chaired by General Hudson Austin. Its first action was to close the airport, set a shoot-to-kill curfew, and place Grenada under martial law. The military government lasted 6 days before the United States invaded Grenada.
Invasion and aftermath
During Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invaded Grenada on the morning of October 25, 1983. Fighting continued for several days, although the final outcome was never really in doubt. On the evening of October 26, 2 additional battalions were called in, bringing the total number of troops to approximately 7,000 American soldiers, as well as 300 troops from the Caribbean Regional Security System.
At the end of the fighting, 19 American soldiers had died, many of whom were killed by friendly fire. On the Grenadian side, 70 soldiers died and at least 24 civilians were killed.
It took 3 days for Navy SEALs to free Governor-General Scoon. Scoon's first act was to restore the constitution and appoint Nicholas Brathwaite as acting head of government. Brathwaite held power until 1984, when Herbert Blaize was elected the new Prime Minister of Grenada. Grenada has had regular elections ever since.
Controversy
Because of its origins, Thanksgiving Day is a controversial holiday in Grenada. Emotions about Coard's coup or Maurice Bishop's time in governmentstill run high, and it does not help that Bishop's body was never found. Although Grenada is a proud part of the Commonwealth, the U.S. had invaded Grenada without consulting Great Britain. Some also feel that an American custom has beenimposed upon Grenada.
As a result, although most people enjoy the day off with family, public celebrations are usually low-key, with most resembling Veterans Day ceremonies in tone. Banks and shops usually close during public holidays, but some shops stay open on October 25.
