-
1500
Under attack
1500-1600's: The Spanish were attacked by the Caribs, pirates, and buccaneers. They attacked the Spanish galleons which were carrying riches back to Spain. The pirates included Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Henry Morgan, Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake -
1509
The Beginning of the Island
The Spanish lay claim to the Island while many of the native Arawak community dies off from new European diseases. -
The British
Jamaica is taken over by the British. -
Treaty of Madrid
Treaty of Madrid: Jamaica formally cedes to the British. Jamaica becomes the world's largest sugar export with large use of imported African slaves. The sugar plantations, worked by African slaves, lead to slave trading and auctions. -
The New Capital
The Jamaican capital, Port Royal, wiped out by an earthquake and
Spanish Town then becomes the new capital. -
Slavery is No More
Slavery abolished -
Morant Bay Rebellion
Morant Bay rebellion: Freed slaves are pushed in their rebellion against the British and, therefore, Jamaica becomes a crown colony. -
New Constitution
New constitution put in place. -
People's National Party
Serious riots and People's National Party is created by Norman Manley. -
World War II
1939-1945 World War II -
Federation of West Indies
Jamaica joins the Federation of the West Indies. -
Withdrawal from Federation of the West Indies
Jamaica withdrawals from the Federation of the West Indies -
Independence
The Colony of Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962 with Alexander Bustamante as prime minister. -
Michael Manley
Michael Manley is chosen prime minister for the PNP -
Edward Seaga
Edward Seaga is chosen prime minister. The US grants their government substantial while distancing themselves from Cuba. -
Hurricane Gilbert
Hurricane Gilbert -
Michael Manley
Michael Manley returns to the position of prime minister. -
Manley Retires
Michael Manley retires due to health and is replaced as Prime Minister by Percival J Patterson. -
Crime Increase in Kingston
The army patrols Kingston due to a massive increase in crime. -
Kingston Violence
Troops and armored vehicles try to restore order to the capital, Kingston, after three days of violence, leaving 27 people dead. -
United Kingdom Visa
United Kingdom introduces a visa requirement for Jamaicans entering the UK. London says that this in place to control illegal immigration. -
Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan -
PJ Patterson
Prime Minister PJ Patterson anounces is retirement in April 2006. -
Portia Miller
In February 2006, Portia Simpson Miller is chosen as head of PNP. She is the first women to be head of PNP. -
Jamaica Labour Party
Jamaica Labour Party wins general elections in Jamaica and Bruce Golding becomes Prime Mnister. -
Death Penalty
Parliament passes a vote keeping the death penalty, as Jamaica fights to control one of the world's highest murder rates. -
Drug Lord
Dozens are killed in a mission to arrest well known drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke. He is then extradited to the US. -
Break the Chains
Upon winning the next election, Portia Simpson-Miller says that 50 years after Jamaica gained its independence from Britain, it is time for the nation to break the chain with the British monarchy and now become a republic. -
Flogging and Whipping Elimination
Jamaica eliminates flogging and whipping from its forms of punishment. -
Asafa Powell
Anti-doping officials give Asafa Powell, a world top sprinter, an 18-month ban due to failing a drug test. -
Legalization of Drugs
Parliament legalizes the possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Also permitting the use of marijuana for religious, medical, and scientific purposes.
