User:CROIX/History of Antigua and Barbuda (1981-1994)

1981-1984
When Princess Margaret arrived in Antigua on October 30, 1981, she was greeted by an honor guard consisting of police and soldiers. On October 31, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda opened its parliament building in the midst of a tropical downpour, just hours before gaining independence. In the harbor, five warships—three British, one Venezuelan, one American—awaited the midnight salute to independence. At the stroke of midnight on November 1, 1981, in front of 25,000 spectators, the Antiguan and Barbudan flag was raised and the Union Jack was lowered at the Antigua Recreation Ground.