Jamaica
Jamaican History Timeline
circa 6000
BC:
Indian troops settle Jamaica
circa
AD
600:
Arawak Indians come to Jamaica
1494:
Christopher Columbus visits Jamaica
1503-4:
Columbus is stranded on the north coast of the island
1509:
Spain establishes a colony at St. Ann's Bay
1513:
First enslaved Africans arrive
1520:
Sugarcane cultivation is introduced
1655:
British troops overrun Jamaica
1658:
English repel Spanish invaders
1661:
Major English colonization begins
1670:
Hundreds of privateers given royal protection in Jamaica
1692:
Earthquake wipes out Port Royal
1739:
Rebellious Maroons sign treaty with English
1800:
Census reveals huge majority of blacks in Jamaica
1808:
Slave trade abolished by Great Britain
1838:
Slavery ended
1866:
Jamaica becomes a British Crown Colony
1930:
Jamaicans push for autonomy
1943:
Bauxite mining industry begins
1944:
All adult Jamaicans given the right to vote
1960s:
Tourism as an industry grows
1962:
Jamaica obtains independence on August 6th
1970s:
Bob Marley and reggae music achieve world recognition
1972:
Socialist Michael Manley becomes Prime Minister
1980:
Moderate Edward Seaga succeeds Manley
1980s:
Unemployment is high, although popularity of tourism continues to thrive
1988:
Hurricane Gilbert hits the island
1989:
Michael Manley, now a moderate returns to power
1992:
P. J. Patterson succeeds Manley
Croal Island Associates Home
~
Jamaica
Source: Frommer's, 22-23.
