National Heroes' Day in 2025

When is JAGS McCartney Day?

JAGS McCartney Day is a public holiday in the Turks and Caicos Islands on the last Monday in May.

This holiday commemorates the life of James Alexander George Smith McCartney, the Turks and Caicos Islands only national hero.

About JAGS McCartney Day

James Alexander George Smith (JAGS) McCartney was the island territory's first Chief Minister from August 1976 until May 9th 1980, when he died in a plane crash over New Jersey, USA, just before his 35th birthday.

Speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony in 2021, Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick said: "Elected at 31, he was still an idealist at heart; a central desire of his, being the achievement of self-determination for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

"At a time when the Turks and Caicos was a largely undiscovered ‘backwater town’ constrained by a colonial mindset, McCartney had a big vision for a constitutional reform that would be inclusive of the rights of all Turks and Caicos Islanders.” 

Misick said that as a young man, McCartney was particularly concerned about the education and provision of opportunities for youths in the TCI and devoted his life to ensuring the economic and social development of the Islands.

"His courage and bold determination to change the country for a common good was the catalyst that resulted in a paradigm shift in the minds of the youths, that anything could be achieved. 

"However, the dream of a self-confident, self-assured, fully self-governed and unified people, is yet to be obtained. 

This holiday was formerly known as Turks and Caicos Islands National Heroes' Day.