World Holidays - Grenada Celebrates Independence Day

Grenada gained independence from British rule on 7^th February 1974 under the leadership of Sir Eric Matthew Gairy who served as the first Prime Minister. Grenada is part of the Commonwealth Realm and has Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Grenada, also known as the Island of Spice, is one of the world’s largest exporters of nutmeg and mace crops with a population of about 110,000.

On October 25 1983, President Ronald
Reagan ordered the invasion of Grenada from Barbados under Operation Urgent Fury due to fears of Cuban and communist influence in the overthrow of Maurice Bishop’s government and his execution. US forces withdrew in December 1983.