October 19th in African American History – Maurice Rupert Bishop

October 19, 1983 Maurice Rupert Bishop, Grenadian politician, was executed by firing squad.

Bishop was born May 29, 1944 and was educated at the London School of Economics with extensive studies in the black power movement. After returning to Grenada in 1973, he was elected head of the Marxist New Jewel Movement political party.

Bishop was elected to Parliament and for several years held the position of leader of the opposition in the Grenadian House of Representatives. In 1979 the ruling party was deposed and Bishop was declared Prime Minister of Grenada. In 1983, Bishop was deposed and placed under house arrest.

On October 19 Bishop and seven others, including cabinet ministers and his mistress, were executed. In May, 2009, the airport was renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport Grenada, in his honor.

Related posts:

1. October 15th in African American History – The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense October 15, 1966 The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was...
2. October 8th in African American History – Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. October 8, 1941 Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., clergyman and civil...
3. October 14th in African American History – Julius Kambarage Nyerere October 14, 1999 Julius Kambarage Nyerere, first President of Tanganyika...
4. October 19th in African American History – Jennifer-Yvette Holliday October 19, 1960 Jennifer-Yvette Holliday, singer and actress, was born...
5. October 15th in African American History – Ernest C. Withers October 15, 2007 Ernest C. Withers, photojournalist, died. Withers was...