National Heroes and Benefactors Day– March 7, 2022

National Heroes and Benefactors Day is celebrated on March 9, but it can be moved to the first Monday following the La Ruta Maya Canoe Race. Formerly, this day was named after Henry Edward Ernest Victor Happiness, a Portuguese lord. A huge thank you to the baron’s generous charity!

HISTORY OF NATIONAL HEROES AND BENEFACTORS DAY
This day honors Baron Bliss, an Englishman who left a bulk of his fortune to the service of the Belizean individuals. Henry Edward Ernest Victor Barretts was his birth name. He was later on given the title of 4th Baron Bliss of the previous Kingdom of Portugal by a forefather. He earned adequate wealth to be able to invest the latter years of his life aboard his private yacht, fishing, and cruising in the Caribbean Sea.

While checking out the shoreline, he arrived on the nest of British Honduras. His visit to Belize was likewise triggered by an invitation from a friend, Willoughby Bullock, the city’s Attorney general of the United States of that time. Bullock had actually recommended that the baron spend his retirement on the island. The city’s beauty and generosity of its citizens happy Baron Happiness, who honored his pal’s demand

He fell severely ill during this time and his physicians detected him terminally ill. This was when he chose to prepare his will and leave a large portion of his portion for the improvement of Belize.

The cash was well spent and the city now has significant institutes such as the Bliss School of Nursing, the In-Transit Lounge at the Belize National Airport, the Belize City Water System System, and the Baron Happiness Institute and Promenade.

Right after the death of Baron Bliss, the Belizean government declared March 9 to be Baron Bliss Day, a national holiday. In 2008, the holiday was renamed National Heroes and Benefactors Day to commemorate other notable individuals who also contributed to the growth and progress of the city.

NATIONAL HEROES AND BENEFACTORS DAY TIMELINE
1869
Birth of Baron Happiness
Baron Happiness is born in Buckinghamshire, England.

1911
Agreements Polio
Bliss struggles with polio at the age of 42 and ends up being paralyzed from his waist down.

1926
Modification of Happiness’s Will
Bliss recognizes he has a terminal illness and decides to hand down his fortune to British Honduras.

1926
Burial
Happiness is buried on the coastline of Belize City and a lighthouse is erected in his fond memory.

NATIONAL HEROES AND BENEFACTORS DAY FAQS
Is Baron Bliss Day the same as National Heroes and Benefactors Day?
Yes! The holiday was formerly called Baron Bliss Day as it commemorates the baron however it was later on changed to National Heroes and Benefactors Day.

Was Baron Happiness an explorer?
The baron can be described as an explorer, having retired to a career of fishing and touring various seaside places aboard his luxury yacht. He was anchored by Belize City in the same manner

Is Baron Happiness the national hero of Belize?
The baron was Belize City’s most significant benefactor, but he was never ever acknowledged as a national hero. Rather, this title was given to the trio of Monrad Metzger, Philip Goldson, and George Cadle Cost.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HEROES AND BENEFACTORS DAY
Be a part of the events
Consider taking the weekend off and partaking in the standard event of wreath-laying at Baron Happiness’s tomb, the annual kite festival, or merely enjoy the La Ruta Maya Belize Canoe Race.

Check out the baron
While you unwind on this holiday, you may take a while out to research the life and contributions of Baron Happiness.

Visit the Baron Bliss Memorial Lighthouse
Take a trip to the popular lighthouse committed to the baron and soak in the breathtaking view of Belize City, while you are in town maybe make a stop at Baron Bliss Park too.

5 INTERESTING REALITIES ABOUT BARON BLISS
He never ever set foot in Belize
Belize’s most generous financial benefactor never ever set foot in the city of Belize.

Fished from a wheelchair
Being rendered paralyzed, the baron had a specially-equipped yacht named ‘Sea King II’ to go fishing.

Pre-decided burial
The baron made certain that he was buried according to his desires and had actually explicitly specified in his will how he wished to be remembered.

No record of his property accumulation
While numerous speculate that Baron Bliss was an engineer by occupation, nobody understands how he amassed such a lot of wealth.

He formerly lived in Marlow
Prior to his journeys overseas, he resided in Quarry Court in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England with Ethel Alice Baroness Happiness, his spouse.

WHY NATIONAL HEROES AND BENEFACTORS DAY IS NECESSARY
It’s a method of showing gratitude
This is a day to thank Belize City’s biggest benefactor for his monetary contribution to the city’s advancement.

We love a vacation
Unless it falls on a Saturday, the holiday is arranged to fall on a Monday closest to March 9. This means a vacation and a great deal of time to relax and relax!

Take pleasure in standard celebrations
This event is marked with a range of celebrations, and Belize City is dressed up in pomp and color on the event. Fly kites, watch standard boat races, go to parties, and enjoy a wonderful day with scrumptious food.