National Heroes Day belongs to the heroes of the past, and to the Jamaicans carrying the country right now. At King’s House in Kingston today, Monday, October 19, 2026, Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen presided over the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards 2026, where 140 Jamaicans were slated for recognition for their contributions to the country.

Six names at the top of the list

The Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fifth highest honour, went to six people: former Bank of Jamaica Governor Richard Byles, Sagicor Group Jamaica Chief Executive Officer Christopher Zacca, philanthropist Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz, and former government ministers Maxine Henry-Wilson and Derrick Smith. The Jamaica Information Service confirmed the six Order of Jamaica recipients ahead of the ceremony.

Below that level, the honours ran across the whole society: 25 Orders of Distinction in the rank of Commander and 41 in the rank of Officer, 33 Badges of Honour for Meritorious Service, and 30 Badges of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Gallantry honoured

Three civilians were selected for the Badge of Honour for Gallantry: Danielle Anna-Marie Barnswell, her husband, Councillor Scean Barnswell, and Susan Annmarie Higgins. Members of the uniformed services were also recognised through the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service, led by 25 recipients from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 15 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade, 13 from the Department of Correctional Services and 12 from the Jamaica Defence Force.

A system built in 1969

Jamaica’s national honours system was established under the National Honours and Awards Act, which took effect on July 18, 1969. It provides for six national orders, from the Order of National Hero down to the Order of Distinction, alongside medals and badges recognising gallantry and meritorious service.

The ceremony began at 9:00 AM on the lawns of King’s House, with the Jamaica Information Service providing a live broadcast for Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora. On the day Jamaica salutes Nanny, Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, Marcus Garvey, Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, the 140 names added today are the living proof that service to Jamaica did not end with the heroes.

Source: The Jamaican Blogs, October 19, 2026, Jamaica Information Service via EIN Presswire Jamaica Newswire, October 16, 2026