The third Monday in October is when Jamaicans take time to acknowledge and show their appreciation to the current seven national heroes, who have all made significant contributions to the independence and development of modern Jamaica.
Declared as national heroes in 1969
- Paul Bogle, birth date uncertain – 1865. A Jamaican Baptist deacon and activist. He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay protesters, who marched for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica.
- Sir Alexander Bustmante, 1884-1977. A Jamaican politician and labour leader who in 1962 became the first prime minister of Jamaica.
- Marcus Garvey, 1887-1940, born in St. Ann. A proponent of Black nationalism in Jamaica and especially the United States.
- George William Gordon, 1815-1865. A wealthy Jamaican businessman, magistrate and politician, one of two representatives to the Assembly from St. Thomas-in-the-East Parish.
- Norman Washington Manley, 1893-1969. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica’s leading lawyers in the 1920s.