THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on August 7 n the years identified:

1972:on Festival 10 continues

its merry course moving towards its colourful climax tonight with caravan shows and street dancing throughout Kingston to bring the curtain down on three days of Independence anniversary celebrations. Today’s highlight is, of course, the Grand Gala at the National Stadium, featuring the parade of the Costume Queens who were selected at the National Arena in a glittering and spectacular show. The Costume Queens and other costumed groups taking part in the parade will assemble outside the Stadium at 1.30 p.m. and will give a half-hour display there for the benefit of onlookers. Then at 2 p.m., the show moves into the Stadium to present the Grand Gala, which will be a showcase of entertainment, featuring leading local stars and bands. 1978:the Donald Quarrie is still

fastest man in the Commonwealth. The Jamaican captain once again wins the 100 metres at these games just as he did at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1970 and in Christchurch, New Zealand, four years later. Drawn in the eighth lane with Olympic champion Hasely Crawford of Trinidad at the opposite side of the track, Quarrie came through with his famous overdrive finish to beat the Scottish runner Allan Wells by half a metre, with Crawford the early pacesetter just behind. Both Quarrie and Crawford raise their arms in the air in claiming victory but Quarrie’s gesture seems to be the more confident. The result proves that he is more justified. Quarrie now increases his tally of Commonwealth gold medals to six, which is two more than any other male track and field athlete has won in the whole history of these games. No other Commonwealth 100 metres champion has ever successfully defended his title, yet Quarrie has now done this twice.

1995:Agriculture Minister Horace Clarke dashes the local dairy industries hopes of getting protection from the government.