CONGRATULATIONS BABY ARUBA!

Yes, only 20 Years have passed since you became an Autonomous Land in the Kingdom Of the Netherlands. It's only 20 years that you had to prove yourself you could handle your own business and system. Improve the quality of life of Arubans so that 20 years later we are the most prosperous island in the Caribbean, with the highest income per capita and increasing economy and tourism.

Arubans fought for their economic self-determination.

In 20 years, we had to introduce our own money, called the Aruban Florin which is fixed to dollar at the rate of 1,78. Our own Police force, Communication Systems, courts and more. We bacame a resort island. Corporation were brought to island to invest. In 1985 the government envisioned the Aruba based on Tourism, the Sasaki Plan was introduced and Arubans that stayed on the island told that we are changing focus and plans after the closure of the LAGO Oil Refinery.

It has been 20 years that we stopped the abuse we had encountered for decades from the Antillean government that did not see the importance and potential of this island. All major businesses and projects were allocated in Curacao, leaving the rest of the Antilles and Aruba in the dark.

I still remember when Aruba got its Status Aparte at the Round Table Conference and the island was quarantined from the outside world and all commercial flights between Antilles and Aruba stopped by Curacao.

Has been 20 years of Status Aparte and 30 Years of our own National Anthem and National Flag thanks to Gilberto Francois Betico Croes.