Eric Gairy

Eric Gairy was a leader on an island called Grenada. He worked to help workers get better pay. This led to some big fights in the streets.

Later, he became the first Prime Minister. This happened when his land became free. He led the land for many years.

Some things were not fair during his time. His group made people feel afraid. This caused a lot of trouble for the land.

Other people wanted to change things. A group led by Maurice Bishop took over. They did this without any fighting.

Eric Gairy went to live in a new land. He later came back to his home. He lived to be 75 years old.

Eric Gairy was a leader from the island of Grenada. He was born in 1922. As a young man, he worked at an oil refinery in Aruba. He later returned to Grenada to help workers. He started a union to fight for better pay. This led to a strike in 1951. During these days, many buildings were set on fire. People called this time "Sky Red."

Gairy became a top leader in Grenada. In 1974, he became the first Prime Minister. This was when Grenada became independent from Great Britain. His time as leader was hard for the island. He had a group called the Mongoose Gang. This group made people feel afraid. Many people felt the elections were not fair.

In 1979, a group led by Maurice Bishop took over. They did this while Gairy was in the United States. Gairy lived in the U.S. for a few years. He later moved back to Grenada. He tried to win elections, but he did not win. Gairy died in 1997 at age 75.

Eric Matthew Gairy was a major leader in the history of Grenada. He was born on February 18, 1922, in a place called Dunfermline. This area is in the St. Andrew's Parish on the eastern side of the island. As a young man, he attended several local schools. He even worked as a student-teacher at the LaFillette School. Later, he moved to Aruba to work at an oil refinery. He returned to Grenada in 1949 to start a new life in politics. He wanted to help workers through a group called a trade union.

In 1950, Gairy started the Grenada Manual & Metal Workers Union. He helped lead a big strike in 1951 to get better working conditions. This strike caused a lot of trouble on the island. Many buildings were set on fire during this time. People called these difficult days the "Sky Red." Because of this unrest, the British authorities had to send in soldiers. Gairy was also taken into custody by the authorities. He later formed the Grenada United Labour Party in 1950. He served on the Legislative Council for many years during the 1950s.

His career had many different roles and titles. In 1961, he became the Chief Minister of Grenada. He also served as the Minister of Finance for a short time. However, the British Governor dismissed him in 1962. Later, he became the Premier of the Associated State of Grenada. He held this position from 1967 until 1974. During his time as Premier, a famous event happened at a beauty pageant. In 1970, a woman from Grenada named Jennifer Hosten won Miss World. This was the first time a Black woman won the title. Because Gairy was a judge, some people thought the contest was rigged. This caused many protests in London.

Grenada became an independent country from Great Britain on February 7, 1974. When this happened, Eric Gairy became the very first Prime Minister. His time as Prime Minister was marked by much conflict. He had a group called the Mongoose Gang that acted as secret police. This group was used to scare people who disagreed with him. In 1976, his party won an election, but observers said it was not fair. They believed the Mongoose Gang intimidated the other voters. Gairy also had a strange interest in UFOs. In 1978, he even spoke to the United Nations about them.

In March 1979, Gairy was in the United States. While he was away, a group called the New Jewel Movement took over. They were led by a man named Maurice Bishop. This event is called a coup. It was a bloodless change of power. Gairy lived in the United States for several years after this. He eventually moved back to Grenada in 1983. He tried to win elections in 1984, 1990, and 1995, but he did not win. Gairy died at his home in Grand Anse in 1997. He was 75 years old.

Sir Eric Matthew Gairy was a central figure in the political history of Grenada. He served as the nation's first Prime Minister after it gained independence from Great Britain. His political career spanned several decades and multiple different leadership roles. He held titles such as Chief Minister, Premier, and Minister of Finance. Gairy's life was marked by significant social changes and intense political conflict. His leadership helped shape the transition of Grenada from a colony to an independent state.

Born on February 18, 1922, in Dunfermline, Gairy grew up on the eastern side of Grenada. He attended the LaFillette School and the St. Andrews Roman Catholic Senior School. After working as a student-teacher, he moved to Aruba for several years. There, he worked at the Lago Oil and Transport Company refinery. He returned to Grenada in December 1949 to enter the world of trade unionism. This move marked the beginning of his long influence over Grenadian society.

In 1950, Gairy founded the Grenada Manual & Metal Workers Union (GMMWU). He was a key figure in the 1951 general strike for better working conditions. This strike caused massive unrest across the island. Many buildings were set on fire during the disturbances. These events were so intense that people called them the "Sky Red" days. The British authorities had to call in military reinforcements to regain control. Gairy himself was taken into custody during this period of instability.

Following the strike, Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour Party in 1950. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1951, 1954, and 1957. His leadership roles changed frequently due to political shifts. In 1961, he became the Chief Minister and Minister of Finance. However, the British colonial Governor dismissed him in April 1962. This dismissal was due to the questionable use of state funds. He later served as the Leader of the Opposition from 1962 to 1967.

From 1967 to 1974, Gairy served as the Premier of the Associated State of Grenada. During this time, a major international controversy occurred involving the 1970 Miss World pageant. A Grenadian contestant, Jennifer Hosten, became the first Black woman to win the title. Because Gairy was on the judging panel, many accused the contest of being rigged. Protests broke out in London, and the organizing director, Julia Morley, resigned due to the pressure. This event highlighted the intense racial and political tensions of the era.

On February 7, 1974, Grenada achieved independence, and Gairy became the first Prime Minister. His administration faced significant civil strife and political tension. He utilized a secret police group known as the Mongoose Gang. This group was used to terrorize his political opponents. In the 1976 election, Gairy's party won, but international observers declared the result fraudulent. They believed the Mongoose Gang had used intimidation to influence the outcome. Gairy also gained attention for his interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

In November 1978, Gairy addressed the United Nations regarding the subject of UFOs. This occurred while the political situation at home was worsening. Street violence broke out between government supporters and the New Jewel Movement (NJM). The NJM was a group that began planning to overthrow the government. In March 1979, while Gairy was visiting the United States, Maurice Bishop led a bloodless coup. The NJM took control of the country, and Gairy went into exile. This change in power was supported by activists in the United States, including Mario Marcel Salas in San Antonio, Texas.

Gairy remained in exile in the United States until 1983. He returned to Grenada after a military government was toppled by an invasion. He attempted to return to politics by campaigning in 1984, 1990, and 1995. In the 1984 election, his party won 36% of the popular vote but only one seat in the House of Representatives. Gairy suffered a stroke in Venezuela in 1996. He died at his home in Grand Anse, Grenada, on August 23, 1997. He was 75 years old.