Lynden Pindling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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Sir Lynden Pindling
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| 1st Prime Minister of the Bahamas | |
| In office 10 July 1973 – 21 August 1992 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Sir Milo Butler Sir Gerald Cash Sir Henry Taylor Sir Clifford Darling |
| Preceded by | Himself as Prime Minister of the Bahama Islands |
| Succeeded by | Hubert Ingraham |
| 1st Prime Minister of the Bahama Islands | |
| In office 10 May 1969 – 10 July 1973 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Himself as Premier of the Bahamas |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Prime Minister of the Bahama Islands |
| 2nd Premier of the Bahamas | |
| In office 16 January 1967 – 10 May 1969 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir Roland Symonette |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Prime Minister of the Bahama Islands |
| Member of Parliament for New Providence South |
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| In office June 1956 – 1967 |
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| Member of Parliament for Andros-Kemp's Bay & Andros – South Andros & Mangrove Cay |
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| In office January 1967 – July 9, 1997 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 March 1930 Nassau, Bahamas |
| Died | 26 August 2000 (aged 70) Nassau, Bahamas |
| Political party | Progressive Liberal |
| Spouse | Marguerite McKenzie |
| Alma mater | King's College London |
Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling (born March 22, 1930 – died August 26, 2000) was a very important Bahamian politician. Many people call him the "Father of the Nation" because he led the Bahamas to two big achievements. First, he helped the country achieve "majority rule" on January 10, 1967. This meant that the majority of the population, who were black Bahamians, gained control of their own government for the first time. Second, he led the Bahamas to full independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973.
Sir Lynden was the first black Premier (leader) of the Bahama Islands from 1967 to 1969. He then became the first Prime Minister of the Bahamas and served for a long time, from 1969 to 1992. He was also the leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) from 1956 until 1997, when he stepped down from public life.
Pindling won many elections in a row. His party, the PLP, finally lost to the Free National Movement (FNM) in 1992. The FNM was led by Hubert Alexander Ingraham. When he lost, Sir Lynden accepted the results gracefully. He said that "the people of this great little democracy have spoken in a most dignified and eloquent manner (and) the voice of the people, is the voice of God."
He received several important honors during his life and after his death. In 1976, he became a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. He was also made a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) in 1982. This meant he could use the title "Sir." In 2018, after he passed away, he was given the Bahamian Order of National Hero (NH).
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Lynden Pindling was born on March 22, 1930, in Nassau, Bahamas. His parents were Arnold and Viola Pindling. He was born in his grandfather's home in an area called Mason's Addition.
His father, Arnold, came from Jamaica and joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force as a police officer. He also ran a small shop, farmed sometimes, and raised racehorses. Lynden's mother, Viola, was from the island of Acklins but moved to New Providence when she was a child. Lynden was their only child.
When he was a young boy, Lynden helped his father at their small grocery store. It was connected to their home on East Street in New Providence. He became the main delivery boy, using his bike to deliver groceries to nearby areas. Interestingly, the famous Bahamian actor Sidney Poitier used to have this job before Lynden did!
Education and Learning Journey
Lynden's parents wanted him to have the best education possible. Because of this, he moved between different schools when he was very young. He first went to Eastern Primary School. He also spent some time at a Seventh-day Adventist Primary school because his mother wanted him to.
Between the ages of seven and nine, Lynden attended all three of the government's junior schools. He spent about a year at each: Eastern Junior, Southern Junior, and Western Junior.
From 1940 to 1943, he attended Western Senior School. The head teacher there was Timothy Gibson, who was a musician and wrote the Bahamian National Anthem. Lynden even took piano lessons from him! Lynden also enjoyed sports like track and field and softball.
In 1943, Lynden took an important exam to get into the well-known Government High School (GHS). He was one of only twenty students who earned a spot. He graduated from GHS in 1946.
After high school, Pindling went to King's College, University of London in England from 1948 to 1952. He studied law there and earned a law degree. He became a lawyer in 1953.
Political Career and Leadership
By the end of 1953, Lynden Pindling joined the new Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as their legal advisor. In 1956, he became the party's leader in Parliament. This happened after the previous leader, Henry Taylor, lost his election. Pindling was chosen over another popular leader, Randol Fawkes.
On May 5, 1956, Pindling married Marguerite McKenzie. She was from Long Bay Cays in Andros. The next month, he won his first election in Nassau's Southern District. After that, he won every election for the House of Assembly until 1997.
A famous moment in Bahamian history happened on April 27, 1965. This day is known as "Black Tuesday." During a speech in the House of Assembly, Pindling dramatically picked up the Speaker's Mace. He then threw it out of a window onto the street below. This was a powerful gesture to show that power belonged to the people.
In 1967, Pindling was elected Prime Minister. His party promised to fight against corruption. In the election, the PLP and the ruling United Bahamian Party each won 18 seats. However, one independent Member of Parliament joined the PLP, and another became the Speaker. This allowed Pindling to form the first black government in Bahamian history on January 10, 1967.
Pindling then led the Bahamas to become fully independent from Great Britain on July 10, 1973. During his time as leader, he introduced many important programs. These included the National Insurance Scheme, which provides social security. He also helped create the College of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
From 1984 to 1990, Pindling also served as the Minister of Finance.
Political Challenges and Later Years
Sir Lynden Pindling faced some challenges during his time as leader. In the 1960s, the British government investigated claims of corruption in the Bahamian political system. The investigation found that some previous government officials had received payments from casino businesses. The report also mentioned that Pindling's campaign had received support from a U.S. casino operator. Pindling ended his connection with this operator. While some figures were removed from the Bahamas, casino operations continued.
Despite these claims, Pindling remained very popular in the Bahamas. He never had to resign or call an early election because of them. Even after the investigation's report, he led his party to another election victory in 1987.
However, in 1992, the Free National Movement (FNM) won the General Election. The FNM was formed in 1971 by a group of Members of Parliament who had left Pindling's party. Even though his party lost, Pindling kept his own seat in South Andros. After this defeat, the new Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham, said that Sir Lynden would not be sent to the United States to face any charges. The FNM won again in 1997, and Pindling retired from politics shortly after. Perry Christie took over as leader of the PLP.
Death and Legacy
In early 1996, Sir Lynden Pindling began to feel tired and showed other signs of illness. He was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. He received treatment in Baltimore, USA, and was later given a clean bill of health. He returned to his work as a lawyer after his time as Prime Minister.
However, in July 2000, Pindling's health worsened. The cancer had spread to his bones, and doctors could only offer medicine to help with the pain.
Sir Lynden Pindling passed away at his home in New Providence on August 26, 2000, at the age of 70. He was surrounded by his family and friends. Before he slipped into a coma, his last words were the 23rd Psalm, which he recited to his wife.
After his death, the Bahamas declared 10 days of national mourning. Parliament met to honor him, and lawyers also paid tribute. His body was displayed in the House of Assembly for public viewing for four days.
On September 4, a large state funeral was held at the Church of God of Prophecy. A long procession, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, honored him. He was buried in a mausoleum at St Agnes Cemetery in Nassau.
His wife, Dame Marguerite Pindling, later served as the Governor-General of The Bahamas until June 2019.
Personal Life
Sir Lynden Pindling and Dame Marguerite Pindling were married from 1956 until his death in 2000. They had four children together.
Honoring Sir Lynden Pindling
In 2006, the main airport in Nassau was renamed Lynden Pindling International Airport in his honor.
His image is also featured on the one-dollar note of Bahamian currency.
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