Should we have a Windrush Day?
I was born on 25 June 1948. I like the symmetry of the date – exactly midway between Christmases, so spreading evenly the childhood joy of receiving presents.
Furthermore this was a most historic time. Domestically it was the time that the National Health Service was created (5 July 1948). Internationally it was the start of the Soviet blockade of Berlin (24 June 1948).
Something else important happened at that time. The first significant group of black immigrants arrived in Britain from the West Indies on the “MV Empire WIndrush” (22 June 1948).
It has now been suggested that this date become a public holiday to celebrate the contributions of black, Asian and other minority communities to Britain over the last 60 years – see this short article. I like the idea.