September in Belize
September in Belize feels different. Patriotic songs echo through the airwaves, schoolchildren rehearse for parades, and neighborhoods shimmer with blue, red, and white.
The moment you hear Homeland by the Sea, the classic by Philip C. Campbell, you know Belize’s birthday has arrived.
“God’s goodness gave this land to me,
To honor and to love.
O’er all this earth there’s none so free…
This fruitful land, this blessed choice,
My Homeland by the Sea.”
These words serve as a reminder of who we are as Belizean guardians of a proud nation, blessed with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage.
As Belize marks its 44th Independence Anniversary this September 21st, it is worth reflecting on one of the earliest and most enduring expressions of identity: the Belizean Flag.
Origins & Creation of the Belize Flag
The Belizean flag was not born overnight. It is a symbol shaped by history, struggle, and unity.
In the 1960s, the People’s United Party, led by Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price rallied the independence movement under a simple blue flag with a white circle. But as the call for sovereignty grew louder, Belizeans sought a banner that would represent all people of the nation, not just one political vision.
A National Symbols Committee invited citizens to submit designs for a new national flag. Out of 80 entries, two public servants, Mr. Everal Waight and Mr. Inez Sanchez, produced the winning concept. Their design kept the blue background of the nationalist flag, added bold red stripes along the top and bottom to symbolize the unity of Belizeans, and proudly placed at its center the nation’s Coat of Arms.
Each element tells a story:
- A wreath of 50 leaves, recalling 1950, the year the independence movement began.
- A Mahogany Tree, representing the timber industry that built Belize’s early economy.
- A ship, reflecting maritime strength and global trade.
- Two men: one Mestizo with an axe, one Afro-Belizean with a paddle, honoring both diversity and the labor of our forebears.
- And beneath it all, a scroll bearing the Latin motto: “Sub Umbra Floreo” “Under the Shade I Flourish.”
On September 21, 1981, as the Union Jack was lowered at Government House and Belize’s flag rose for the first time, the anthem O Land of the Free rang out,
“O, Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hallows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression’s rod,
By the might of truth and the grace of God,
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.”
This marked the beginning of Belize’s independence and the start of its people flourishing together under one banner.
The Flag Through Time: A Historical Timeline
1821 – The First Seal of the Settlement of Belize
The earliest known emblem included the Union Jack, often displayed horizontally.
1826 – Honduras Gazette
The shield’s shape changes, and the Union Jack is hung vertically.
1829 – Honduras Almanack
Initials “AKP” appear under the banner.
1848
The initials “T O” are placed above the mahogany tree. The motto Sub Ubra Floreo is misspelled and should read Sub Umbra Floreo.
Date Unknown
Two logging tools are positioned behind the shield, the wooden stand is removed, and the woodcutters are shown standing on the banner.
1907
1807–1950: The Official Flag of British Honduras
1950–1982: The PUP’s Unofficial Civil Flag
Adopted during the nationalist movement, this flag displayed the Coat of Arms within a blue field.
Before 1981: The British Honduras Governor’s Flag
A symbol of colonial authority, flown until the eve of independence.
September 21, 1981: The Official Flag of Belize
The Union Jack came down, and the Belizean Flag rose proudly, a declaration of unity, resilience, and national pride.
The Belize Flag is a tapestry of history and identity. Every color, every emblem holds an identifying element of Belize’s history. From jaguars roaming the jungle to the Caribbean Sea rolling onto its shores, Belize flourishes under this banner not as a colony, but as a free and proud nation.
Visiting Belize in September means you get to witness the patriotic celebrations or visit any time of year to explore the jungles, reefs, and towns that this flag represents, Belize welcomes you to experience its history and pride firsthand. Contact us at the Lodge at Chaa Creek to plan your visit!
