National Heroes Day
Overview: What is a National Hero?
A national hero is a person who is admired and acknowledged for their courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities; and is someone who has made significant positive contributions to the growth and development of society. To know our heroes is to know ourselves: our values, our collective history, who we are, and what makes us as Bermudians great. Recognizing our heroes provides us with an important opportunity to celebrate our collective history, our heritage, our values as a society, and our culture.
Celebration
The National Heroes Day holiday is observed each year on the third Monday in June. The purpose is to honour those persons who have been officially designated as national heroes in Bermuda. The national hero designation is a lifetime honour that is bestowed, and once a person is named as a national hero, he or she will be a national hero forever.
Desired Outcome
- A community that is proud of contributions made by individuals or groups;
- A community with an increased level of awareness about Bermuda’s history, heritage and culture; and
- A community with an increased sense of national unity and social cohesion.
Criteria for the selection of Bermuda’s National Heroes:
The individual or group to be designated as a National Hero should meet most of the following criteria:
- has made a significant and lasting contribution to Bermuda
- has enriched the lives of others
- has a legacy that will stand the test of time and have continued relevance in the future
- has contributed to the quality of life and destiny of Bermuda
- be considered as outstanding in their area of service
- has ready name recognition among the general population
- is recognized by his/her profession or organization
- is reflective of Bermuda’s cultural heritage and diversity
Attributes of Individuals/Groups Selected:
It is important that the individual or group designated as a national hero is of outstanding character and may possess some or all of the following characteristics:
- dedicated
- ethical
- committed
- self-sacrificing
- conscientious
- agent of change or betterment
- risk-taker
- demonstrates consistency and passion
- demonstrates love of Bermuda and her people
- demonstrates leadership qualities
Guidelines on the Nomination Process
The National Heroes Act 2024 (PDF) outlines the full details of the National Hero naming process. The Department of Culture will recognise the heroes annually through public education on their contributions, lectures, and an annual National Heroes Celebration event.
To retain the distinct and extraordinary character of this award, the nomination process for new national heroes will open to the public once every ten years. Nominations for new National Heroes closed on November 15, 2024 and will reopen in 10 years.
The Naming and Recognition Committee
The Naming and Recognition Committee plays a vital role in recommending individuals to be recognized as National Heroes. A call for expressions of interest was available in late 2024, and we are proud to announce that this committee is now formed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Eligibility of Living Individuals
Under the National Heroes Act 2024, only individuals who are deceased are eligible to be named National Heroes.
Next Nomination Window
The next nomination period is scheduled to open in the fall of 2034.
Naming of a National Hero
No new National Hero was named in 2025 after following the process outlined in the National Heroes Act 2024; the next nomination period is scheduled to open in the fall of 2034. We deeply respect and appreciate all individuals who were nominated. The designation of National Hero is a significant honour, reserved for those whose impact is not only exceptional, but enduring over time at a national level. See criteria/attributes listed above. While a nominee may not have been selected at this time, this does not preclude these individuals from receiving alternate recognition, or from being resubmitted in the next nomination window.
