20 October 1969
National Heroes Day was first celebrated on 20 October 1969.
Honouring Jamaica’s National Heroes
National heritage
Jamaica National Heroes Day 2026
Jamaica’s story was shaped by courage—the courage to resist oppression, demand justice, inspire a people and build a nation. Step into the remarkable lives of six National Heroes and Jamaica’s only National Heroine, Nanny of the Maroons, whose sacrifices and vision continue to define who we are. Explore the origins of National Heroes Day, the traditions of National Heritage Week and the outstanding Jamaicans being honoured in 2026 as their legacy of service, strength and national pride lives on.
7National
Heroes
Heroes
National Heroes Day and Heritage Week
Third Monday in October
The public holiday is observed each year on the third Monday in October.
National Heritage Week
National Heritage Week is observed during the week leading to National Heroes Day.
Traditional observances
National Heroes Day is traditionally observed through national and parish religious services, floral tributes, civic ceremonies, heritage programmes and the National Honours and Awards Ceremony.
National Heroes Park redevelopment
On 20 August 2026, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that the Government is moving towards construction on a major redevelopment of National Heroes Park and the surrounding Parliament precinct after almost five years of planning.
The Urban Development Corporation has been tasked with executing the project. The current consultative phase includes community members, landowners and other stakeholders. The wider plan covers the 51-acre park, a new Parliament building, Government facilities, the Heroes Circle road network and regeneration of the surrounding Corporate Area.
Meet Jamaica’s Seven National Heroes
These six men and Jamaica’s only National Heroine, Nanny of the Maroons, are presented through official Jamaica Information Service portraits and concise biographies drawn from Government and National Library references.
National Heroine
Nanny of the Maroons
A leader of the Windward Maroons, Nanny is remembered for her military strategy, spiritual leadership and defence of Maroon freedom. She helped sustain the community centred at Nanny Town in Portland and remains Jamaica’s only National Heroine.
National Hero
Samuel “Sam” Sharpe
A Baptist deacon and enslaved man, Sharpe organised the 1831–32 resistance known as the Christmas Rebellion or Baptist War. He was executed in Montego Bay on 23 May 1832, and the uprising helped hasten the end of slavery.
National Hero
Marcus Mosiah Garvey
Born in St Ann’s Bay in 1887, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914 and built an international movement promoting Black dignity, unity and self-determination.
In January 2025, Garvey received a posthumous United States presidential pardon. Jamaica’s Culture Ministry welcomed the decision while continuing its call for his full exoneration.
National Hero
George William Gordon
A businessman, landowner, Baptist leader and member of the House of Assembly, Gordon advocated for poor Jamaicans and challenged oppressive colonial policies. He was arrested, tried under martial law and executed after the Morant Bay events of 1865.
National Hero
Paul Bogle
A Baptist deacon from Stony Gut, Bogle led the 11 October 1865 march to Morant Bay amid grievances about poverty, justice and political representation. He was captured and executed later that month.
Since a 2023 proclamation, 11 October is observed annually as Paul Bogle Day.
National Hero
Norman Washington Manley
A Rhodes Scholar, soldier, lawyer, labour advocate and political leader, Manley founded the People’s National Party in 1938. As Chief Minister and Premier, he advanced self-government and led the negotiations that prepared Jamaica for Independence.
National Hero
Sir Alexander Bustamante
A trade-union and political leader associated with the 1938 labour movement, Bustamante founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and the Jamaica Labour Party. He became independent Jamaica’s first Prime Minister in 1962.
2026 National Honours & Awards
One hundred and forty Jamaicans have been named for National Honours and Awards in 2026. They will be conferred with their awards during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on National Heroes Day, Monday, 19 October 2026.
Awards by category
- 7 Order of Jamaica
- 25 Order of Distinction, Commander
- 41 Order of Distinction, Officer
- 33 Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service
- 30 Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service
- 4 Badge of Honour for Gallantry
Order of Jamaica appointees
- Richard Byles
- Donette Chin-Loy Chang
- Daryl Vaz
- Maxine Henry-Wilson
- Derrick Smith
- Diana Stewart
- Christopher Zacca
About the order: The Order of Jamaica is a national honour and should not be confused with the Order of National Hero, Jamaica’s highest order.
The official JIS recipients page and announcement provide the full 2026 list.
National Heritage Week 2026
Jamaica will observe National Heritage Week from Sunday, 11 October through National Heroes Day on Monday, 19 October 2026, under the official theme “Resilient People with a Proud Heritage.”
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s current national calendar lists the following four events.
Marcus Garvey Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts
JCDC’s premier performing-arts award recognises outstanding achievement in its national programme.
National Heritage Week Thanksgiving Church Service
Kingston Open Bible, 12 Washington Boulevard, Kingston 20
The national thanksgiving service takes place on the Sunday before National Heroes Day.
Salute to Heroes
National Heroes Park, Kingston
Officials of State and Government will honour Jamaica’s seven National Heroes at their monuments and shrines.
Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards
Lawns of King’s House, Kingston
The 140 Jamaicans named for National Honours and Awards in 2026 will receive their awards. JIS will stream the ceremony live on YouTube from 10:00 a.m.
Published times: JCDC lists the ceremony window as 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; the dedicated JIS ceremony page lists the livestream from 10:00 a.m. Both official times are shown here for visitors attending or watching online.
JNHT Heritage Month activities
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust’s October programme explores the peoples, traditions and places that shaped Jamaica. The remaining activities begin on 7 October and continue through 30 October.
- 7 October — Jamaica through GIS: maps show how the island’s heritage landscape has changed across decades and centuries.
- 9 October — Back to Africa and Jamaica Boom: African retentions in Jamaica and the programme’s launch concert.
- 12 October — Enter the Dragon: The Rise of the Chinese in Jamaica: Chinese influences on Jamaican food, commerce, shopping and music.
- 14 October — Taino World: Xamayca Before Jamaica and Seville Heritage Expo: activities and access to the Taíno exhibit at Seville Heritage Park, St Ann.
- 16 October — Reel Jamaica: Jamaica’s built heritage, places and experiences preserved through film.
- 23 October — Dung a Town: the Jamaican marketplace and the role of agriculture and commerce.
- 27 October — Two Empires, One Island: Spanish and British influence on governance, presented at Port Royal.
- 30 October — Shalom Jamaica: Jewish heritage and contributions to Jamaican life at the Shalom Synagogue, 92 Duke Street.
JNHT states that these programme activities are free. It is also offering 50 per cent off Kingston tours on 21, 26 and 27 October at Headquarters House, the Bustamante Museum and National Heroes Park.
JIS Heritage Competition 2026
The Jamaica Information Service has opened its 16th annual Heritage Competition under the theme “Our Heritage Endures: Resilient Through Trials—The Story of Jamaica.” This competition theme is separate from the national Heritage Week theme.
Entries opened on 16 September and close on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The four categories are:
- Essay: primary-level students aged nine to 12.
- Poster: secondary-school students in grades seven to nine and grades 10 to 13.
- Photography: secondary and tertiary students.
- Reels: open to participants of all ages.
The JIS will also conduct Heritage School Tours across Jamaica during October. Entrants should review the complete rules and submit through the official competition portal.
JIS Open House Heritage Sale
58A Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 10
Browse JIS publications celebrating Jamaica’s history, culture and heritage.
Heroes Weekend entertainment
Alongside Jamaica’s national observances, independently organised entertainment events are scheduled during Heroes Weekend. These events are not part of the official JCDC programme; confirm registration, tickets, venues, schedules and entry conditions directly with each organiser.
Republic Weekend
Ocho Rios
A five-event series beginning with Fanatic Festival, followed by Rosé N Roses, Night Carnival, Republic Beach Club and #SSS Republic Bush on National Heroes Day.
Greatness Weekend
Kingston
Four events are listed across the holiday weekend: PCF Pool Cooler Fete at Caymanas Golf Club, Recall at Mas Camp, CUPS at BOJ Lawn and the Greatness Pink & White Brunch at Devon House.
Frenchmen Passport
Ocho Rios
The Heroes Weekend series lists three experiences—Rise Up, Nitecap and Foreplay—from Saturday morning through National Heroes Day.
National Heroes quiz
Fourteen questions use only facts on this page. There is no timer, account or personal-data collection. Every answer remains available without JavaScript.
National Heroes puzzles
National Heroes crossword
Solve verified clues about the seven heroes, freedom, justice and heritage.
Play the crossword →National Heroes word search
Find names and themes connected with the National Heroes.
Open Word & Quote Search →Emancipation & Independence
Continue with Jamaica’s freedom and nationhood history.
Open the history archive →Official source register
Primary Government of Jamaica, JCDC, UDC and National Library references support the historical, biographical, honours and current-development information on this page.
- JCDC: National Celebrations — National Heritage Week timing and established religious, floral, civic and honours observances.
- JCDC: Heritage Week Theme 2026 — official theme and observance dates.
- JCDC: Events Calendar — official 2026 Heritage Week programme dates, times and published venues.
- JIS and JNHT: Heritage Month Activities — the official October programme, free activities and discounted heritage-site tours.
- JIS: Heritage Competition Marks 16th Staging — categories, eligibility, school tours and the 31 October submission deadline.
- JIS: National Heroes — official biographies, historical overview and the portrait set used on this page.
- National Library of Jamaica: National Heroes — biographical reference.
- JIS: National Heroes Day history — first celebration on 20 October 1969.
- JIS: Order of National Hero — Jamaica’s highest order.
- JIS: 2026 National Honours and Awards announcement — total recipients and Order of Jamaica appointees.
- JIS: National Honours and Awards recipients — official 2026 recipients register.
- JIS: National Honours & Awards 2026 — King’s House venue, 10:00 a.m. livestream and honours information.
- Culture Ministry: Marcus Garvey pardon statement — the 2025 pardon and continuing call for exoneration.
- Culture Ministry: Paul Bogle Day — annual observance on 11 October.
- Office of the Prime Minister: National Heroes Park redevelopment — August 2026 project update.
- Urban Development Corporation: Government Campus — project scope for the park and Parliament precinct.