Belize City witnessed a profound gathering of national reverence on January 15, 2026, as citizens across the spectrum united to commemorate George Price Day. The ceremony honored George Cadle Price, the architect of Belizean independence, with this year’s observance carrying dual significance: marking six years since the holiday’s establishment and coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the People’s United Party (PUP) which Price founded.
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner inaugurated the proceedings by emphasizing the enduring nature of Price’s legacy. He reminded attendees that the nation inherited not just the freedoms Price secured but also the ongoing responsibility to ensure independence remains meaningful for successive generations.
Prime Minister John Briceño delivered a heartfelt tribute, characterizing Price as a leader profoundly guided by faith and service. He recounted Price’s pivotal role in steering the peaceful Belizean revolution that ultimately achieved sovereignty in 1981. Briceño concluded his address with both a national blessing and the celebratory cry that echoed throughout the event: “Que viva George Price!”
The program featured recitations from Price’s seminal 1950 Battlefield Park address, where he first challenged colonial authority and economic disparities, declaring that Belizeans had “awakened from the sleep of false hopes and empty promises.”
Parallel celebrations included the traveling PUP at 75 exhibition, which chronicles the party’s central role in Belize’s political evolution. Culture Minister Francis Fonseca reported thousands have visited the exhibition nationwide, describing it as crucial for preserving political history. The exhibition, launched in Orange Walk in September 2025, will conclude in San Pedro next month.
In personal reflections shared with media, Briceño revealed how Price’s guidance shaped his own path, recalling the founding leader’s belief that “public service is the highest call for any Belizean.”
The commemorations extended beyond formal ceremonies with nationwide social media tributes and physical installations, including a commemorative billboard unveiled by Immigration Minister Kareem Musa at a major intersection. The day’s events culminated with a student assembly at Nazarene High School and a spectacular fireworks display, symbolizing the nation’s enduring gratitude.