Dr. Eric Williams: The father of the Nation of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Trinidad and Tobago Independence day is August 31st, 1962. Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day is September 24th, 1976. Although Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1st 1976, the event was celebrated as a public holiday on September 24th, 1976 because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republic Constitution.