Happy Anguilla Day!Anguilla

Today's Flag

is Anguilla - a British Overseas Territory located in the north of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. It is disputed whether Christopher Columbus or René Goulaine de Laudonnière was the first European explorer to discover Anguilla. The native Arawak called the island Malliouhana. Spanish forces destroyed the Dutch West India Company fort in 1633 leaving the island for British settlers who arrived around 1650. The island was briefly occupied by French forces in 1666, but returned it to the UK under the Treaty of Breda in 1667. The period of British mercantilism saw plantations set in the centre of the island to grow tobacco, sugar, cotton and corn, however emancipation eventually lead to the departure of the plantation owners, and a strong independent community of farmers and fishermen developed.

British administration eventually became aimed at creating a self-sufficient, self-governing territory, based first in Antigua as part of the Leeward Islands Federation, for a brief time as part of the short-lived British Caribbean Federation and then later in an amalgamation of islands based in St-Kitts, (Saint Christopher.) Despite several petitions and attempts to negotiate direct rule, Anguillan resentment at being dominated from St-Kitts went unaddressed, and boiled over into open rebellion by 1967. Driven by poverty, lack of infrastructure and clean water, a provisional government was set up and on 30 May 1967, forced the Royal St-Kitts Police off the island. This event is celebrated annually as Anguilla Day.

A request for United States administration was declined, two referendums on secession from St-Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla were held, and eventually a declaration of independence, a new national anthem and flag of the republic were promulgated. On 7 February 1969, an independent republic was declared, led by Ronald Webster. Welcomed by a crowd waving Union Jacks and singing 'God Save the Queen,' British envoy William Whitlock, arrived to resolve the situation but treated Webster and residents so poorly and with such insensitivity, that the diplomatic party was expelled from the island at gunpoint only five hours after landing. This resulted in the UK dispatching two frigates of the Royal Navy. "Operation Sheepskin" landed over 300 paratroopers and members of the London Metropolitan Police on Anguilla to restore order. The armed forces encountered no resistance on landing, and aside from some spirited demonstrations, none of the reported violent mafia-type mobs with firearms reported by Mr. Whitlock or St-Kitts premier Robert Bradshaw were found.

The military set about visiting every part of the island, and Royal Engineers began building desperately-needed infrastructure, a jetty in the main port, the island's first radio station, roads, schools, medical facilities and paved runways at the airport. Although successful in winning over the inhabitants with their tolerance and friendly approach, the military invasion of the island was called "The Bay of Piglets" by the international press and was seen as a public relations embarrassment to the UK. As the islanders sought to be no longer be dominated by the 'tyranny' of the St-Kitts administration, Anguilla was permitted to establish responsible local government and the political situation stabilized. On 19 December 1980, Anguilla was officially separated from St-Kitts and Nevis and became a British Overseas Territory in its own right. The United Nations maintains a position on the decolonization of Anguilla. A popular travel destination due to its year-round warm climate, Anguilla has many pristine beaches and well-developed vacation properties.

Quick Facts:

Monarch: His Majesty King Charles III

Title: Charles III, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith

Accession: 8 September 2022

Governor: Her Excellency Julia Catherine Crouch,11 September 2023

Population: 15,933 (click here for Worldometer current statistic)

Subjects of Anguilla are called: Anguillans

State Religion: n/a

Currency: EC$, East Caribbean Dollar, Peg 2.70 XCD = 1.00 USD

Capital: The Valley

Population: 948

Type of Government: British Overseas Territory

Governing Body: UK Parliament, Premier, House of Assembly

Founded: 19 December 1980 (Separated from St-Kitts)

Flag Adopted: 1 January 1999