1962: Premier Alexander Bustamante greets Princess Margaret on her arrival from London at the Palisadoes International Airport for Jamaica's Independence celebrations. Her husband, Lord Snowdon (second left), waits his turn to be greeted by the Premier. At extreme left is the Governor, Sir Kenneth Blackburn, and beside Sir Alexander is an unidentified guest. - File photos

The time, midnight; the place, the National Stadium.

The lights were switched off for one minute. The Union Jack, Britain's red, white and blue flag, was lowered. Up went, in its place, the new black, green and gold that was Jamaica's national flag.

The lights were switched on again, and 30,000 voices - bass tenors and sopranos - sang Jamaica's new national anthem.

"Justice, truth, be ours forever."

It was a moment of joy, yet tears flowed from many eyes.

A new nation was born.

"Jamaica, land we love."

1963: Miss Jamaica World, Carol Joan Crawford (front), accompanied by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Vin Crawford, (to her right) walking to the plane, which took them to Trinidad to attend carnival.

1964: His Excellency Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell (right), Jamaica's first native Governor-General, is escorted by Cecil B. Facey, church warden at St. Andrew Parish Church, into the church for an anniversary service.

1963: People rush to join others lining the route of the military parade held to celebrate the first anniversary of Jamaica's Independence.