MAY 26, 2006 marks the 40th anniversary of our country's attainment of independence from Great Britain. On this historic day in 1966, a new nation, Guyana, the only English-speaking one on the South American continent, achieved national sovereignty to become the 24th member of the then British Commonwealth of nations, thus bringing to an end decades of British colonial rule.

As part of independence was the emergence of our new Coast of Arms. On it is seen

• the pride of our fauna life our Victoria Amazonica
• two jaguars holding a pickaxe
• stems of rice and sugar cane and facing each other proudly across a painted shield on top of which rests a visored helmet topped by the feathered crown of an Amerindian chieftain.
• Beneath a scroll-like banner boldly proclaims the Nation's Motto `One People, One Nation, One Destiny'
• On the shield itself are found three barrulets of azure blue symbolising Guyana's watery nature and its water potential. This Coat of Arms justifiably accords pride of place in our national minds and reminds us of strength of unity and sense of purpose.

Independence brought with it our National Flag, a slender arrowhead set proudly on a background of green and red and stands as a striking symbol of Guyana's journey into the future.

• The red triangle represents the zeal and dynamic nature of nation building that lies before the young and independent nation
• The deep black border stands for the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of its people.
• Yellow symbolises our many Minerals as we are rich in Gold and Diamonds
• Finally, white symbolises our rivers, waterfalls and our hydroelectric potential of this `Land of Water'.
• The lush green colour symbolises the fields and forests of Guyana's assets of which the country is richly endowed.

Our new National Anthem is a popular aspect of our Independence. Reverend Archibald Luker wrote the words of `Dear Land of Guyana' in response to the nation-wide competition sponsored by the then National History and Arts Council while our distinguished Guyanese educationist and musician, the late RCG Potter composed the music. The title of our National Anthem is appropriate and expressive of colour and vitality and of land fertility. See Lyrics of our National Anthem here

On the morning of the 26th May, 1966, the National Assembly witnessed all the pomp and pageantry and ceremonial aspects of Westminster. In the historic Public Buildings, the Duke of Kent handed over to the country's first Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes Burnham, the Constitutional Instruments conceding to us the dignity and pride of Independence Nationhood on behalf of the Queen.

"Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore,
Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore.
This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we,
All sons of one Mother, Guyana the free." From our National Anthem