Bermuda Day has been renamed National Heroes Day, with Dame Lois Browne Evans the first figure to be honoured.

The renaming of the May 24 national holiday was officially announced by Government last night, following a pledge by Premier Dr. Ewart Brown to a PLP rally in July to dedicate a public holiday to the trailblazing politician.

As reported in The Royal Gazette on July 21, Dr. Brown told the rally at West Pembroke School Field: "We don't want leaders who will not acknowledge that we need a holiday to memorialise the passing of Dame Lois, because she mattered so much to us as a leader.

"What we want is a leader who can say yes, there should be a permanent recognition of Dame Lois's life. "Under the next PLP Government there will be a permanent recognition of Dame Lois's life. She deserves nothing less."

Dame Lois will be celebrated as Bermuda's first 'national hero' on May 24, 2008.

Dr. Brown said last night: "This is a great day for our country. Our country's matriarch is getting her just due. We collectively mourned when Dame Lois passed and now we can truly begin the process of celebrating her life."

Announcing the tribute last night, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Wayne Perinchief said the new Court and Police building at Court and Victoria Street will also be named after Dame Lois, while a bronze statue or bust will depict her.

Dame Lois died on May 29 aged 79. She was Bermuda's first female barrister, first female Attorney General and the first woman Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth country, serving as PLP Leader from 1968-1972, and again from 1976-1985.

In July, the public was asked to suggest ways of commemorating Dame Lois's life — an appeal which generated 101 submissions, the most popular tribute being a national public holiday.

A Government spokesman said: "More tributes, through Government and civic organisations, are in the offing and may become reality."

Senator Perinchief said: "The public response has been highly gratifying in recognising the achievements of this national hero and reflects the profound respect for a Bermudian trailblazer who fought for honour and justice."

He will now set out the criteria as to how other national heroes will be designated for commemoration, with the measures to be approved by Cabinet.

Premier Dr. Brown said setting an official standard for 'national heroes' would instill pride among the people of Bermuda.

"Dame Lois long believed there was a need to instill national pride in our people," said Dr. Brown last night.

"I share that belief, and in a very strong way this Government has made Dame Lois' wish come true. She would have never chosen herself for this sort of adulation — I'm proud we could do it for her because she did so much for all of Bermuda.

"By establishing a publicly known standard for heroes we can create a culture of national pride where young people know Bermudian legends by name and are aware of their historical significance."