Jersey's Minister for International Development proposes that a prominent day in the island's history be turned into a National Day.

Liberation Day is celebrated widely in the island on 9 May, when the island was Liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945.

The idea stems from the Island Identity Project, which would like to see Deputy Carolyn Labey designate a National Day for Jersey.

It would mean Liberation Day is officially marked as a public holiday.

Denmark and the United Kingdom are some of the only countries without an official day, celebrating nationhood.

The project's panel wants a day where everyone, regardless of background, can understand what it means to be 'Jersey'.

Many Islanders already consider Liberation Day to be Jersey’s National Day, which serves to recognise the sacrifice made by those who lived through the war and to bring Islanders together to celebrate the freedom which we can all enjoy today, regardless of our ethnic or cultural background.

Formalising Liberation Day as Jersey’s National Day would preserve this date’s significance for future generations and signal its importance to those outside of Jersey.

Indeed, in a rapidly changing international environment, the need to assert Jersey’s distinct identity has never been more important.

- Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey

Islanders had the chance to give their opinions on the idea between 18 November 2024 and 18 January 2025.

They were asked if they would like to see it on Liberation Day or a different day, including:

• 6th January - Until probably WW1 the date of the Battle of Jersey was considered in some quarters as Jersey's National Day, a day of celebration especially after the centenary of 1881, and reinforced by the fact it coincided with Lé Vièr Noué (Old Christmas Day) still marked especially in the countryside into C20th 55;
• 17th February - Proclamation of Charles II in the Royal Square (1649) - ties in with the gift of the Mace as a visible national symbol;
• 7th April - Formal adoption of modern Jersey flag (1981);
• 9th May - Liberation Day;
• 24th May - La Grande R'veue (Queen Victoria's birthday was a day off for militia during much of C19th for parading) - this is the origin of the Jèrriais expression: ‘un jour pouor la Reine’, to describe a bank holiday;
• 21st June - Summer solstice. If "Sunny Jersey" is a culturally resonant concept, then celebrating the sun and midsummer could be popular;
• 28th September - Reform Day / The Corn Riots;
• 29th September - Michaelmas - Feast of Saint Michael, patron of Normandy;
• 14th October - Battle of Hastings. Significant politically, as a link was established with the English crown.

 But alas, Liberation Day was hailed the popular choice with 87% of respondents (2,007 out of 2,466) voting for the date.

The Corn Riots on 28 September came in second and the Battle of Flowers, the second week of August, was third.

Corn Riots celebrations in the Royal Square

Islanders were then asked whether they would like 'Beautiful Jersey' as the National Anthem.

Half of the survey responders were in favour of this idea. However, this was not enough to gain the vote.

The Council of Ministers have now gone to sports clubs in the island for their opinions and other relevant bodies to see what should be played at official Jersey events where the island is being represented, such as the Island Games or Commonwealth Games.

The chorus of “Beautiful Jersey” (in either English or Jèrriais) is played at such events until a formal anthem is selected.

- Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey

Other suggestions included 'God Save the King', 'Ma Normandie' and 'Island Home'.

Beauport, Jersey