
Jersey's Minister for International Development proposes that a prominent day in the island's history be turned into a National Day.
Liberation Day is celebrated widely in the island on 9 May, the date in 1945 when Jersey was liberated from Nazi occupation.
It is already a public holiday, and is marked with a re-enactment and service in Liberation Square and celebrations of our freedoms at numerous parish events.
The idea of Jersey having a National Day stems from the recent Island Identity Project. The project's panel wants a day where everyone, regardless of background, can understand what it means to be 'Jersey'.
Denmark and the United Kingdom are some of the only countries without an official day, celebrating nationhood.
Last November, the government begun a public consultation on formally adopting Liberation Day as the island's National Day.
Many Islanders already consider Liberation Day to be Jersey’s National Day, which serves to recognise the sacrifice made by those who lived through the war and to bring Islanders together to celebrate the freedom which we can all enjoy today, regardless of our ethnic or cultural background.
Formalising Liberation Day as Jersey’s National Day would preserve this date’s significance for future generations and signal its importance to those outside of Jersey.
Indeed, in a rapidly changing international environment, the need to assert Jersey’s distinct identity has never been more important.
- Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey
Islanders had two months to give their opinions on the idea. They were asked if they would like Liberation Day designated Jersey's National Day - or a different day - including:
- 6 January - Until probably WW1 the date of the Battle of Jersey was considered in some quarters as Jersey's National Day, a day of celebration especially after the centenary of 1881, and reinforced by the fact it coincided with Lé Vièr Noué (Old Christmas Day) still marked especially in the countryside into C20th 55;
- 17 February - Proclamation of Charles II in the Royal Square (1649) - ties in with the gift of the Mace as a visible national symbol;
- 7 April - Formal adoption of modern Jersey flag (1981);
- 9 May - Liberation Day;
- 24 May - La Grande R'veue (Queen Victoria's birthday was a day off for militia during much of C19th for parading) - this is the origin of the Jèrriais expression: ‘un jour pouor la Reine’, to describe a bank holiday;
- 21 June - Summer solstice. If "Sunny Jersey" is a culturally resonant concept, then celebrating the sun and midsummer could be popular;
- 28 September - Reform Day / The Corn Riots;
- 29 September - Michaelmas - Feast of Saint Michael, patron of Normandy;
- 14 October - Battle of Hastings. Significant politically, as a link was established with the English crown.
Liberation Day was the most popular choice, with 87% of respondents (2,007 out of 2,466) voting for the date. Around half of those who voted were under 18.
The Corn Riots on 28 September came in second and the Battle of Flowers, the second week of August, was third.
Deputy Carolyn Labey will now formally ask the States Assembly to vote to adopt Liberation Day as Jersey's official National Day.
Corn Riots celebrations in the Royal Square
Islanders were then asked whether they would like 'Beautiful Jersey' as the National Anthem.
Half of the survey responders were in favour of this idea. However, this was not enough for the idea to be formally proposed to the States.
The Council of Ministers has instead recommended to sports clubs it be played where Jersey is being represented at events such as the Island Games or Commonwealth Games.
The chorus of “Beautiful Jersey” (in either English or Jèrriais) is played at such events until a formal anthem is selected.
- Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey
Other suggestions included 'God Save the King', 'Ma Normandie' and 'Island Home'.
Beauport, Jersey