Nov. 30 will go down in history as the date when the island of Barbados ended centuries of British influence and became an independent republic. In celebrating 55 years since its emancipation, it also went from having Queen Elizabeth II as head of state to being governed by Sandra Mason, who will now lead the country as its first president

For more than three centuries, Barbados' rulers made decisions on behalf of the Crown — many of which were related to the slave trade. The Prince of Wales publicly apologized for the relationship. Likewise, a change is being sought in the Constitution, which gave all executive power to the queen, ending loyalty to a foreign monarch.

However, despite the change from Barbados to a republic, the island will continue to maintain friendly relations with the Crown and be part of the Commonwealth — the community of nations with origins in the British Empire. It's a community Barbados finds itself along with 53 other territories around the world.

• Anguilla
• Antigua y Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Cayman Islands
• Turks & Caicos
• British Virgin Islands
• Montserrat
• Saint Kitts & Nevis
• Saint Lucía
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Rihanna, was born 33 years ago in Saint Michel and grew up in Bridgetown. She received the distinction from the Prime Minister of Barbados, who highlighted her humble origins. The artist's fortune has been estimated at more than $1.7 billion.