Independence of Jamaica Independence of Jamaica The Colony of Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. In Jamaica, this date is celebrated as Independence Day, a national holiday. The Caribbean island now known as Jamaica was first settled by the Arawak and Taíno peoples, who originated in neighboring South America. Genoan explorer Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494 during his second voyage to the New World, and claimed it for Crown of Castile. At this time, over two hundred villages existed in Jamaica, largely located on the south coast and ruled by "caciques," or "chiefs of villages". The Spanish
Now Is the Month of Maying Now Is the Month of Maying "Now is the month of maying" is one of the most famous of the English balletts (a light dancelike part song similar to a madrigal, frequently with a 'fa-la-la' chorus). It was written by Thomas Morley and published in 1595. It is based on the canzonet "So ben mi ch'a bon tempo" used by Orazio Vecchi in his 1590 "Selva di varia ricreatione". It was printed in Thomas Morley's "First Book of Ballets to Five Voyces" (1595). The song delights in bawdy double-entendre. It is apparently about spring dancing, but this is a metaphor