Philip Goldson turns 100 years old on July 25. Where is the fireworks?

Published by BBNTEAM at July 25, 2023

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Posted: Tuesday, July 25, 2023. 6:11 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: There seems little mention of it on social media or indeed anywhere else, but Tuesday, July 25th is a special birthday for a late National Hero.

Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, born on this date in 1923, would have turned 100 years old on Tuesday. He died on October 3, 2001, shortly after receiving the honor of National Hero, joining former friend turned great political rival George Price in that lofty pantheon.

Goldson ran a newspaper and later studied law but the love of his life was politics, first as a founder of the Nationalist Movement in the 1950s and then as the voice of the Official Opposition for most of his career as member for Albert, before the United Democratic Party’s breakthrough in 1984, when he became a Government Minister. Failing eyesight and general health ultimately forced him out of politics in 1998, but his name has been attached to the former Northern Highway and the International Airport at Ladyville.

Ultimately, Goldson fell out with both major political parties over principle – with the People’s United Party over its leadership and strategy for independence, and with the UDP over defending that independence in our offshore areas, ultimately reconciling with the latter.

The impetus behind his most famous quotation, “The time to save your country is before you lose it,” came from seeing the tears of a Cuban national who lamented that she could not save hers.

We honor National Hero Philip Goldson on his birthday and remember his sacrifice for the good of Belize. A Happy Birthday to Honourable Goldson and best wishes to all his family and friends in Belize and abroad.

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