opportunity for all of us to reflect on a rich and multi-faceted culture, where people of all nationalities, political persuasions, races and creeds have contributed to the Bermuda we enjoy today.

They have come from all walks of life. Wealthy landowners, governors, slaves, farmers, exiled convicts, prisoners-of-war, nurses, doctors, secretaries, lawyers, artisans and craftsmen, teachers, nannies, military personnel, technicians and shopkeepers are just some of those who have left and continue to leave a significant mark upon this Island home.

They have been black, white, Christian, Jew and atheist, of all ages and abilities, and representing a host of nations from around the world, including Britain, India, the Philippines, Australia, the United States, the Caribbean, and Scandinavia.

For a time in our history, the British, Portuguese and those of African descent formed the principal segments of Bermuda society.

The first colonists to arrive were the British in July, 1612, while the first Negro was brought in from the West Indies in 1616, along with an Indian, for the purpose of pearl diving. The first recorded Portuguese person was a servant, John Martin, in 1657, though few Portuguese resided here before 1849.

Today, we remember descendants of those nationalities through the Heritage Month theme with a selection of photographs kindly supplied by the Bermuda Archives. Some are the work of Bermudian photographer Mr. Nicholas Lusher, while the rest are by unknown photographers. They have been chosen at random and information for the captions -- so far as it is known -- has also been supplied by the Bermuda Archives. Where necessary, prints from negatives were made by Bermuda Government Information Services.

HAVE A GOOD FLIGHT! -- A little girl launches her pet duck, Tibba-Bolly, on an adventure from the rocks at Spanish Point circa 1912. Photo from the Bermuda Archives.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT -- Captain Fred Virtue shows how Bermudians once got water from their tanks -- with a bucket on the end of a pole. Photo from the Bermuda Archives.

ALL DECKED OUT -- Shirley, Olive and Loucil, daughters of Mary and Manuel De Costa Silva pose in their Sunday best, circa 1920. Photo from the Bermuda Archives.

SPORTY SIBLINGS -- The Robinson children strike a serious pose in this formal