1981 — The Death of Bob Marley Honored Globally

While Bob Marley passed away on May 11, 1981, his global state funeral was held on May 24, 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica, cementing his legacy as a transnational symbol of Black liberation. Attended by Jamaican officials, African dignitaries, and global admirers, the ceremony reflected Marley\’s unmatched influence as a cultural and political icon. Marley\’s music carried revolutionary themes of Pan-Africanism, anti-colonialism, and Rastafarian identity, uniting Black people across Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora. May 24 stands as a moment to reflect on how art, particularly reggae, became a vehicle for resistance and empowerment. His funeral brought together people of all races, religions, and classes to honor a man who gave voice to the oppressed through music. Today, May 24 can be observed not just as a memorial, but as a celebration of Black cultural sovereignty through sound.