Battle of St.

George’s Caye &

Road to Belize’s Independence
 The Spaniards claimed most of Central America and were
Did You
Know also trying to claim the land that we now call Belize.

The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day

Every year on September 10th Belize celebrates
St. George’s Caye Day

The day that a heroic crew of

British Settlers
Buccaneers and Slaves
defeated the Spaniards
from taking over the country of Belize.

The British fought for Belize...The land they used slaves to cut logwood and Mahogany.
 The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day
The Battle of St George’s Caye took place from
September 3 to September 10, 1798

On September 10, 1798, the Baymen defeated the Spanish Navy and thus, September
10, 1798 marked the final attempt to take over Belize then known as British Honduras.

Who?

Between the Baymen and the Spaniards

Where?

Off the coast of Belize

 The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day
Was this
their first
attempt?
Prior to 1798, the Spaniards had previously attempted to expel the Baymen
from Belize in the years 1716, 1724, 1733, 1747, 1751 and 1779.
Did they try
again?
After their defeat, the Spaniards never tried gaining control over the territory of
Belize.
Why is Belize
Because of the Baymen’s victory, today Belize is the only English
the only English speaking country in Central America.
speaking country of
Central America?
On the 100th anniversary of the Battle of St George’s Caye, the
Government of Belize declared September 10th a national holiday.
100 years later…
NATIONAL
HOLIDAY
 British Settlers...who are they?
British Honduras (Belize) was occupied by British
Settlers as early as the 1600s.

They camped on the cayes and swampy coast of British

Honduras (Belize) to raid Spanish ships.

These British settlers were called Baymen.

After the Europeans stopped raiding ships, the Baymen

started cutting logwood and later Mahogany from the
mainland.

The British were helped by slaves.

After two and a half hours the Spaniards withdrew and

the British declared themselves the winners.
 Road To Independence
Belize did not want
to be ruled by the
British anymore
and so continued
(British Honduras)
Belmopan City to work towards full
Belize started its government and
replaced Belize
work towards independence
City as the
independence. which they
capital.
achieved in 1981.

1961 1973 1992

1950 1970 1981
Hon. George Price Hon. George Price
Guatemala, an old
became Belize’s became Belize’s
colony of Spain
First Prime First Prime
acknowledged
Minister and later Minister and later
Belize as an
helped Belize gain helped Belize gain
independent
internal internal
nation.
government. government.
 Honorable George Cadle Price
● Born on January 15, 1919.
● Founded the People’s United Party on September 29, 1950.
● Served as mayor of Belize from 1956-1962.
● First person to receive Belize’s highest honour, The Order Of
National Hero in September 2000.
● Hon. George Cadle Price died September 19, 2011

Father of th Natio
 Before & After Independence
Before Independence After Independence

1. No National Symbols 1. Belize National Symbols (flag, anthem, flower, tree, bird and animal)
The National Symbols were presented to the Premier of Belize George
2. English Governor Price by the Independence Planning Committee

3. Leader of the country was called “Premier” 2. Governor General

(a) Dame Minita Gordon was the first Governor General
4. George Cadle Price first and only Premier (b) Sir Colville Young is the present Governor General

5. No Constitution 3. Leader of the country was called “Prime Minister”

6. British Flag (Union Jack) 4. Hon George Cadle Price first Prime Minister

7. Belize was not a member of the United 5. Belize Constitution was made and passed September 20, 1981
Nation.
6. Belizean Flag

7. Belize became a member of the United Nation

 Words To Know...

Europeans
Explorers from the continent of Europe

Spaniards
Europeans from Spain

British (Baymen)
Europeans from Great Britain (England)

Colony
People from another country build a settlement in another
country and then control them.
Study Activities
1. Crossword Puzzle
2. Hangman
3. Multiple What?
4. Filling In The Blanks
5. Pair Up
6. Jeopardy
7. How To Be A Millionaire