deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The Battle of St George’s Caye

The flag of Belize. A Caribbean country on the north east coast of Central America. Mexico is to the north, the Caribbean Sea is to the east with Guatemala to the south. It was formerly known as British Honduras.

The Battle of St. George’s Caye was a military engagement that lasted from 3 to 10 September 1798, off the coast of British Honduras(present-day Belize).

The name is typically reserved for the final battle that occurred on 10 September. The Spaniards had previously attempted to expel the colonists on six occasions, most recently in 1779. The events of 10 September 1798 marked the final Spanish attempt to take over the area. In Belize, the Battle of St. George’s Caye is a national public and bank holiday.

The battle took place between an invading force from Mexico, attempting to assert Spanish claims to present-day Belize, and a small force of resident woodcutters called Baymen, who fought for their livelihood assisted by black slaves. After the final two and a half-hour battle, ravaged by sickness, the Spaniards withdrew.

The battle set the stage for the British takeover of the area that became known as Belize but was first known as The British Honduras.

Belize went through decades of colonization and constant bickering and accusations from Guatemala before The United Nations declared their independence in 1980.

The Battle of St George’s Caye stands as a foundational event in the history of Belize.