On April 21, 1966, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, made a historic state visit to Kingston, Jamaica, and was greeted by over 100,000 people at the airport—many of them devout Rastafarians who considered him a divine figure. The day, now celebrated as Grounation Day, marked a spiritual and cultural turning point in Jamaica. The Emperor’s presence validated and invigorated the Rastafari movement, which had long faced persecution. His visit bridged Ethiopian heritage with Caribbean identity, inspiring generations to explore Pan-Africanism, dignity, and spiritual sovereignty.
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