THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on January 18 in the years identified:

1953:

Prime Minister of Great Britain Winston Churchill was presented with the key to the city of Kingston by Mayor Edward H. Fagan, at a ceremony at the Victoria Statue.

1955:

Thousands of persons gathered at South Parade in Kingston to watch the Tattoo by Guard and Band of the Royal Marines from H.M.S. Superb which was visiting Jamaica. Traffic was diverted for the display which starts at 7:00 p.m. with all ranks facing the Ensign Staff for the Ceremony of the Colours.

1956:

Kingston’s first big fire of 1956, swept through the new warehouse of the Jamaica Times Store on Temple Lane. After raging for about seven hours, the fire finally subdued after it had done damages estimated unofficially in the vicinity of £60,000.

1967:

Danish Ambassador to Mexico, Mr Hans Haffner, arrived in Jamaica for a three-week holiday. He was met at the Palisadoes Airport by the Danish Consul in Jamaica, Mr Horace Tame.

1972:

The first two Attorneys-at-Law admitted to practise under the new Legal Profession Act of 1971, which came into force on January 3, Norma Greig and Frederick Hamity, both from Westmoreland, were congratulated by Justice Marsh (acting). The motion for their admittance was moved by W.B. Frankson.

1973:

The fixing of a new par value for the Jamaican dollar will, in the long run, have lasting net benefits for the local economy, the minister of finance, David Coore, told the House of Representatives. He said there will be some adverse effects, particularly on the cost of living, in the short run. – THE GLEANER ARCHIVES

TODAY’S GEM

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keep pulsating desire, which transcends everything.”