May 26: Independence Day in Guyana
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Guyana.
History Note
Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America. It borders Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname. Among the indigenous people who established communities in the area were the Arawak and Carib.
The Dutch began establishing trading posts and sugarcane plantations in the 1500s. The French and British later sought to gain control. The British finally created the colony of British Guiana in 1831.
Enslaved people from Africa and their descendants originally worked on the sugarcane plantations. After the abolition of slavery in the British empire, indentured workers from India moved to Guyana. Others also came from China and the Portuguese island of Madeira.
During the 20th century, an ethnically-diverse group of Guyanese pushed for independence, sometimes working together and sometimes as rivals. On May 26, 1966, Guyana officially became independent from the United Kingdom. The country celebrates May 26 as its Independence Day with cultural performances and fireworks.
Guyana has a population of about 800,000 people with a mixture of East Indian, African, and indigenous heritage. About 60% of the people are Christian, 25% Hindu, and 7% Muslim.
This 2024 photo shows a colorful sign in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. Photo by Leonid Andronov / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video summarizes Guyana’s journey to independence and looks at the country's 2021 celebration.
Find other resources at Homeschool History.
