Jamaica History Timeline
Jamaica's Information
| Land Area | 10,831 km2 |
|---|---|
| Water Area | 160 km2 |
| Total Area | 10,991 km2 |
| Population | 2,970,340 |
| Population Density | 270.25 / km2 |
| Government Type | Parliamentary Democracy (Parliament) Under A Constitutional Monarchy; A Commonwealth Realm |
| GDP (PPP) | $25.39 Billion |
| GDP Per Capita | $9,000 |
| Currency | Dollar (JMD) |
| Largest Cities |
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1400s - 1500s
- (1494) Christopher Columbus sighted Jamaica
- (1509) First Spanish colonists occupied Jamaica; indigenous Arawak community died from exposure to European diseases; African slaves brought to work on sugar plantations
- (1655) Jamaica captured by British
- (1657) Admiral Robert Blake defeated Spanish West Indian Fleet in battle over seizure of Jamaica
- (1670) Jamaica formally ceded to British in accordance with Treaty of Madrid
- (1692) Earthquake destroyed Port Royal, capital of Jamaica; major part ofisland submerged; estimated 3,000 killed, 23,000 injured
- (1838) Slavery abolished
- (1865) Paul Bogle led hundreds of men, women on march; started Morant Bay rebellion
- (1870) Banana plantations established as sugar cane industry declined
- (1872) Jamaica's capital moved from Spanish Town to Kingston
- (1884) New constitution marked beginning of local autonomy
- (1907) City of Kingston destroyed by earthquake
- (1914) Marcus Garvey founded Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica
- (1938) West Indies Sugar Company estate workers struck
- (1940) Britain leased air bases to US in World War II; Colonial Development and Welfare Act passed
- (1944) New constitution ended Crown Colony status in Jamaica
- (1958) Jamaica became member of British-sponsored Federation of the West Indies
- (1961) Jamaica withdrew from Federation of the West Indies
- (1962) Jamaica became independent; Alexander Bustamante of Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) became prime minister
- (1972) Michael Manley became prime minister
- (1976) PNP won another term
- (1980) Edward Seaga became prime minister
- (1988) Hurricane Gilbert devastated Jamaica
- (1989) PNP ousted JLP in elections, returned Michael Manley as prime minister
- (1992) Manley retired; succeeded by Percival J. Patterson
- (1993) PNP returned to office with increased majority
- (1998) PNP won a third term
- (1999) Fuel prices increased by 30%, caused violent protests
- (2001) Troops moved in to restore order in capital - Kingston
- (2002) Prime Minister P J Patterson won fourth successive term in office
- (2003) Visa requirements introduced for Jamaicans entering UK, intended for UK to tackle illegal immigrations
- (2004) Hurricane Ivan devastated island, destroyed thousands of homes
- (2005) Protest held over price increases for utilities, public transport
- (2006) Portia Simpson Miller succeeded P J Patterson, became Jamaica's first female prime minister
- (2007) Bruce Golding, Jamaica Labor Party, became prime minister
- (2008) Parliament voted to keep death penalty
- (2010) Alleged drug lord, Christopher "Dudus" Coke, arrested, extradited to US