Residents are urged to pause and reflect on the Territory’s journey and celebrate the milestones achieved along the way this Territory Day.

Territory Day 2018 will be observed on Monday, July 2 under the theme, The Road to Greater Autonomy: Acknowledging our Creative Gifts.

This commemorative event is a symbolic occurrence in the history of the Virgin Islands which began in 1960 when the Territory was positioned on the path to nationhood as the symbolic trappings of an independent state, and in particular, a Coat of Arms was approved.

The Coat of Arms was to be used on seals, banners and flags. However, with the demise of the West Indies Federation in 1962 and the movement towards independence by the larger colonies in the region, the term colony was eventually replaced by Territory.

By the late 1960s, official records referred to the Virgin Islands as a Territory and in 1978, the Public Holiday Act was amended replacing Colony Day with Territory Day.

As part of the improved relationship with the United Kingdom, the Virgin Islands is now referred to as a British Overseas Territory.

Chair of the Committee, Honourable Delores Christopher says that she is pleased to be part of this committee, which works to highlight such an important event in the history of the Virgin Islands.

She said, ”Territory Day is a very important day in the history of the Virgin Islands, and this year’s theme, ‘The Road to Greater Autonomy: Acknowledging our Creative Gifts’, is very fitting for the times which the Territory is facing, and it also gives us something to think about, in relation to our future”.

Territory Day celebrations will be staged at the Pier Park at 9:30 a.m. and will feature dancing and singing performances. Presentations will be made by Member of the BVI Law Fraternity, Mrs. Kimberly Crabbe Adams; Akeya Herbert of the Elmore Stoutt High School will present the student’s perspective of the day, while Trevaughn Todman will give the youths perspective.

The public is invited to attend dressed in Virgin Islands Territorial Wear as the Ministry of Education and Culture continues to work to create a Culture of Excellence.