Declaration
Independence of Guyana, 1966
The Guyana Independence Act, 1966 ended British responsibility for the government of the territory formerly known as British Guiana with effect from 26 May 1966, renaming it Guyana.
What happened
The Guyana Independence Act, 1966, an Act "to provide for the attainment by British Guiana of fully responsible status within the Commonwealth," received Royal Assent on 12 May 1966. Section 1(1) provided: "On and after 26th May 1966 (in this Act referred to as 'the appointed day') Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the government of the territory which immediately before that day constitutes the Colony of British Guiana and which on and after that day is to be called Guyana."[1]
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: The Guyana Independence Act, 1966, given Royal Assent on 12 May 1966, provided in Section 1(1): "On and after 26th May 1966 (in this Act referred to as 'the appointed day') Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the government of the territory which immediately before that day constitutes the Colony of British Guiana and which on and after that day is to be called Guyana."
- Parliament of the United Kingdom, Guyana Independence Act 1966 (Chapter 14) (12 May 1966) link, Section 1. Government perspective or primary official source Source record