By Aaron Humes: Belize is observing National Heroes and Benefactors Day today, March 9, a national holiday dedicated to remembering the country’s greatest financial benefactor, Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss.
Baron Bliss, a British sailor and philanthropist, arrived in Belize in 1926 and was captivated by the country’s beauty. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, he spent his days sailing and fishing in Belize’s waters. Before his passing on March 9, 1926, he bequeathed the bulk of his estate, then valued at $1.8 million Belize dollars, to the people of Belize.
His legacy lives on through projects such as the Bliss Institute (now Center for the Performing Arts) and the Bliss School of Nursing, funded by his estate. The government of Belize renamed the holiday formerly known as Baron Bliss Day to National Heroes and Benefactors Day to honor his contributions and those of national heroes George Price and Phillip Goldson.
Price was Belize’s longest-standing leader, serving as Chief Minister, first Minister, Premier, two terms as Prime Minister and later a senior minister in the Said Musa administration before his passing in September of 2011. His birthday, January 15, was also declared a national holiday.
Goldson, an attorney and a former colleague of Price, was dominant in the Opposition for many years and served in the Manuel Esquivel administration until his departure to form his own party in 1992. The parties coalesced to form government in 1993, but Goldson’s health deteriorated and he died in 2001.
There will be an official ceremony at Baron Bliss’s gravesite along the sea side; the traditional Harbor Regatta was held on Sunday and the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge concludes later this morning.
The post National Heroes and Benefactors Day: honoring Baron Bliss, George Price and Philip Goldson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: Belize is observing National Heroes and Benefactors Day today, March 9, a national holiday dedicated to remembering the country’s greatest financial benefactor, Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss. Baron Bliss, a British sailor and philanthropist, arrived in Belize in 1926 and was captivated by the country’s beauty. Despite being paralyzed from the
The post National Heroes and Benefactors Day: honoring Baron Bliss, George Price and Philip Goldson appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
