On April 28th, Barbadians celebrate National Heroes Day to honor outstanding citizens who shaped their nation. This day replaced the old colonial “Discovery Day” (Columbus Day) with a celebration of Barbadians’ own history. On this public holiday people learn about the 11 National Heroes of Barbados, ten of whom were first named in 1998, with Robyn Rihanna Fenty named as the eleventh in 2021. Heroes Square in Bridgetown, formerly Trafalgar Square where a statue of Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson stood, features exhibits and monuments that keep their legacies alive and honor the hardships of the Barbadian people.
Meet the National Heroes
- The Right Excellent Bussa (died 1816): Led the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history (the 1816 uprising) and became a symbol of resistance. He was killed during the revolt, but his struggle is remembered. Today the Emancipation Statue (unveiled in 1985) on the Highway 1 roundabout is popularly nicknamed “Bussa’s Statue,” commemorating the breaking of the chains of slavery
- The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill (1795–1866): A free woman of mixed descent who became the “Heroine of Methodism” in Barbados. When white planters drove out Methodist missionaries in the 1820s, Gill kept the faith alive by opening her home as a church, enduring threats and persecution. The Gill Memorial Methodist Church (Fairfield Road, Black Rock, St. Michael) is named in her honor.
- The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod (1806–1871): A politician, journalist and reformer. In 1843 he became the first person of color elected to Barbados’s House of Assembly. Prescod fought for emancipation and equal rights, laying the groundwork for democracy. Today the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology in Oistins, Christ Church is named for him.
- The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Herbert Adams (1898–1971): Barbados’s first Premier and a towering figure in Caribbean politics. A respected lawyer, he later served as the only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation. Sir Grantley championed social justice and workers’ rights. A bronze statue of him stands outside the Government Offices at Carlisle Bay, and Barbados’s main international airport carries his name.
- The Right Excellent Clement Osbourne Payne (1904–1941): A fiery labor leader and social activist known as the father of Barbadian trade unionism. Payne’s speeches against the colonial government in 1937 sparked riots and led to the Moyne Commission of Inquiry, which called for major reforms (including labor laws). A marble bust of Clement Payne can be seen in Golden Square (now Golden Square Freedom Park) in Bridgetown.
- The Right Excellent Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (1913–1994): A scholar and statesman. He served as Barbados’s third native Governor-General (head of state) after independence and held many leadership roles in education and the labor movement. The Sir Hugh Springer Memorial Secondary School in Bridgetown (opened 1964) is named for him.
- The Right Excellent Sir Frank Leslie Walcott (1916–1999): An international labor leader. Sir Frank was a co-founder of Barbados’s major trade union and served as President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour for three terms. A bronze statue of Sir Frank stands beside the National Insurance building on Collymore Rock road in Bridgetown, honoring his role in advancing workers’ rights.
- The Right Excellent Dr. Charles Duncan O’Neal (1879–1936): A physician-turned-reformer. Dr. O’Neal founded the Democratic League and tirelessly pushed for social improvements, including free education, better housing and an end to indentured laborers’ abuses. He is remembered at the National Heroes Gallery and in the renamed O’Neal Hall at the University of the West Indies, which honors his legacy.
- The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow (1920–1987): Known as the “Father of Independence,” Barrow was Barbados’s first Prime Minister and led the country to independence in 1966. He introduced free secondary education and national insurance, and launched major infrastructure and health programs. A bronze statue to Errol Barrow has been commissioned, and the Errol Barrow Centre at the Grantley Adams International Airport showcases his contributions.
- The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers (1936–): A cricket legend often called the greatest all-rounder of all time. Sir Garfield captained the West Indies and set multiple world records on the field. Barbados honored him with a bronze statue at the “Sir Garfield Sobers Roundabout” on Highway 1 (Oistins Road), where locals and visitors alike pay tribute to his achievements.
- The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty (1988–): An international pop star and business mogul, Rihanna brought global attention to Barbados. In November 2021 she was named a National Hero—the first to be honored after Barbados became a republic—recognized for her creativity and “extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth”. (Her National Hero induction ceremony took place at Heroes Square in Bridgetown.)
Explore Barbados History
Each of these heroes can be learned about on site in Barbados. Heroes Square features monuments and plaques, and the historic downtown (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is full of colonial landmarks. Visitors are encouraged to explore local museums (such as the Barbados Museum and George Washington House), take walking tours through Bridgetown’s cobblestone streets, or stroll along the boardwalk. Together, these cultural sites and tours help tourists, students, and everyone appreciate the rich history and national pride of Barbados.
