National Heroes Day in Jamaica: What It Marks and Who the National Heroes Are

On the third Monday of October each year, Jamaica observes National Heroes Day. For the Jamaican diaspora in the UK, and for anyone building ties between Jamaica, Ethiopia and the UK, it is a useful moment to understand the people and ideas behind the day.

What National Heroes Day is

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) lists National Heroes Day as falling on "the 3rd Monday in the month of October"; in 2017, for example, that was Monday 16 October. In 2026 it falls on 19 October. The day is the main event of National Heritage Week, which has been marked in the days leading up to it, and in recent years the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King's House has taken place on the day itself, when many Jamaicans are recognised for their service.

Government messages describe the purpose as remembering the people who laid the foundation of the nation and recognising their sacrifices and contribution to national development.

The Order of National Hero

The title of National Hero comes from the Order of National Hero, which the JIS describes as the most senior order in Jamaica's honours system. It may be conferred on a person who was born in Jamaica or was a Jamaican citizen and who rendered service of a most distinguished nature. The order's motto is "He built a city which hath foundations."

The National Honours and Awards system was created in 1969, seven years after independence, with the National Honours and Awards Act taking effect on 18 July 1969. Marcus Garvey, Paul Bogle and George William Gordon were honoured in 1969, with Garvey the first. The most recent conferment was in 1975, when Nanny and Samuel Sharpe were named.

The seven National Heroes

Jamaica has seven National Heroes. The JIS list gives them as follows.

Nanny (circa 1600s to circa 1740s): leader of the Windward Maroons at the beginning of the 18th century.
Samuel Sharpe (1700s to 23 May 1832): a leader associated with the Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay.
George William Gordon (circa 1820s to 23 October 1865): a member of the House of Assembly.
Paul Bogle (circa 1822 to 24 October 1865): a deacon of the Native Baptist Church at Stony Gut, St Thomas.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (17 August 1887 to 10 June 1940): founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
Sir Alexander Bustamante (24 February 1884 to 6 August 1977): Chief Minister, then Premier and Prime Minister of Jamaica.
Norman Washington Manley (4 July 1893 to 2 September 1969): Chief Minister, then Premier of Jamaica.

Sir Alexander Bustamante is the only one of the seven who was honoured during his lifetime, at the age of 85.

Heroes' Park

National Heroes are traditionally honoured with a tomb or monument at National Heroes Park in Kingston. The National Library of Jamaica notes that Marcus Garvey's remains were reburied there in 1964.

Why it matters beyond Jamaica

The heroes' stories range across resistance to slavery, the pursuit of civil rights, economic self-empowerment and the path to independence. For readers in the UK, the day is also a chance to share Jamaican history with friends, colleagues and younger generations.