1966: Barbados Elects Errol Barrow for Second Term

On May 31, 1966, Errol Barrow secured re-election as Prime Minister of Barbados, reinforcing the island’s progressive trajectory just months before gaining full independence from Britain. A fierce advocate for Caribbean unity and social reform, Barrow championed free education, land redistribution, and economic diversification. His victory signaled continuity in the island’s anti-colonial leadership and commitment to building a sovereign Black nation. Under his administration, Barbados strengthened ties with other Caribbean nations and African states, contributing to a growing sense of postcolonial identity and international Black diplomacy. Barrow’s second term was instrumental in shaping Barbados into a model of political stability and developmental policy in the Caribbean. May 31 commemorates a significant electoral milestone in Black political history, spotlighting how leadership and vision helped transform a former colony into a proud, self-determined nation with a commitment to equity and regional solidarity.