History of Grenada

1738

In 1738 the first hospital was constructed. ===British colony=== Grenada was captured by the British during the Seven Years' War on 4 March 1762 by Commodore Swanton without a shot being fired.

1762

In 1738 the first hospital was constructed. ===British colony=== Grenada was captured by the British during the Seven Years' War on 4 March 1762 by Commodore Swanton without a shot being fired.

1763

Grenada was formally ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris on 10 February 1763.

1766

In 1766 the island was rocked by a severe earthquake.

1767

In 1767 a slave uprising was put down.

1771

In 1771 and again in 1775 the town of St.

1775

In 1771 and again in 1775 the town of St.

1779

France recaptured Grenada between 2–4 July 1779 during the American War of Independence, after Comte d'Estaing stormed Hospital Hill.

A British relief force was defeated in the naval Battle of Grenada on 6 July 1779.

1783

However the island was restored to Britain with the Treaty of Versailles four years later on 3 September 1783.

1784

In 1784 the first newspaper, the Grenada Chronicle, began publication. ===Fédon's Rebellion=== Julien Fédon, a mixed race owner of the Belvedere estate in the St.

1794

Fédon was clearly influenced by the ideas emerging from the French Revolution, especially the Convention's abolition of slavery in 1794: he stated that he intended to make Grenada a "Black Republic just like Haiti".

1795

In 1795, Fédon's Rebellion, inspired by the Haitian Revolution, very nearly succeeded, taking significant military intervention to quell.

John Parish, launched a rebellion against British rule on the night of 2 March 1795, with coordinated attacks on the towns of Grenville, La Baye and Gouyave.

Fédon and his troops controlled all of Grenada except the parish of St George's, the seat of government, between March 1795 and June 1796.

1796

Fédon and his troops controlled all of Grenada except the parish of St George's, the seat of government, between March 1795 and June 1796.

The British defeated Fédon's forces in late 1796, but they never caught Fédon himself, and his fate is unknown. ==19th century== ===Early 19th century=== In 1833, Grenada became part of the British Windward Islands Administration and remained so until 1958.

1833

Slavery was abolished in 1833, and in 1885, the island's capital, St.

The British defeated Fédon's forces in late 1796, but they never caught Fédon himself, and his fate is unknown. ==19th century== ===Early 19th century=== In 1833, Grenada became part of the British Windward Islands Administration and remained so until 1958.

1834

Slavery was abolished in 1834.

1843

Nutmeg was introduced in 1843, when a merchant ship called in on its way to England from the East Indies. ===Late 19th century=== In 1857, the first East Indian immigrants arrived.

1857

Nutmeg was introduced in 1843, when a merchant ship called in on its way to England from the East Indies. ===Late 19th century=== In 1857, the first East Indian immigrants arrived.

1871

In 1871 Grenada was connected to the telegraph.

1872

In 1872 the first secondary school was built.

1877

On 3 December 1877 the pure Crown colony model replaced Grenada's old representative system of government.

1882

On 3 December 1882, the largest wooden jetty ever built in Grenada was opened in Gouyave.

1885

Slavery was abolished in 1833, and in 1885, the island's capital, St.

In 1885, after Barbados left the British Windward Islands, the capital of the colonial confederation was moved from Bridgetown to St.

1889

From 1889–1894 the 340 foot Sendall Tunnel was built for horse carriages. ==Last colonial years 1900–1974== ===Early 20th century=== The 1901 census showed that the population of the colony was 63,438.

1900

From 1889–1894 the 340 foot Sendall Tunnel was built for horse carriages. ==Last colonial years 1900–1974== ===Early 20th century=== The 1901 census showed that the population of the colony was 63,438.

1901

From 1889–1894 the 340 foot Sendall Tunnel was built for horse carriages. ==Last colonial years 1900–1974== ===Early 20th century=== The 1901 census showed that the population of the colony was 63,438.

1921

Partly as a result of Marryshow's lobbying the Wood Commission of 1921–1922 concluded that Grenada was ready for constitutional reform in the form of a 'modified' Crown Colony government.

1925

This modification granted Grenadians from 1925 the right to elect 5 of the 15 members of the Legislative Council, on a restricted property franchise enabling the wealthiest 4% of Grenadian adults to vote.

1928

In 1928 electricity was installed in St.

1943

In 1943 Pearls Airport was opened.

1944

On 5 August 1944 the Island Queen schooner disappeared with the loss of all 56 passengers and 11 crew. ===Towards independence:1950–1974=== In 1950, Grenada had its constitution amended to increase the number of elected seats on the Legislative Council from 5 to 8, to be elected by full adult franchise at the 1951 election.

1950

On 5 August 1944 the Island Queen schooner disappeared with the loss of all 56 passengers and 11 crew. ===Towards independence:1950–1974=== In 1950, Grenada had its constitution amended to increase the number of elected seats on the Legislative Council from 5 to 8, to be elected by full adult franchise at the 1951 election.

In 1950 Eric Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour Party, initially as a trade union, which led the 1951 general strike for better working conditions.

1951

On 5 August 1944 the Island Queen schooner disappeared with the loss of all 56 passengers and 11 crew. ===Towards independence:1950–1974=== In 1950, Grenada had its constitution amended to increase the number of elected seats on the Legislative Council from 5 to 8, to be elected by full adult franchise at the 1951 election.

In 1950 Eric Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour Party, initially as a trade union, which led the 1951 general strike for better working conditions.

On 10 October 1951 Grenada held its first general elections on the basis of universal adult suffrage.

United Labour won 6 of the 8 elected seats on the Legislative Council in both the 1951 and 1954 elections.

1954

United Labour won 6 of the 8 elected seats on the Legislative Council in both the 1951 and 1954 elections.

1955

However the Legislative Council had few powers at this time, with government remaining fully in the hands of the colonial authorities. On 22 September 1955, Hurricane Janet hit Grenada, killing 500 people and destroying 75% of the nutmeg trees.

1957

A new political party, the Grenada National Party led by Herbert Blaize, contested the 1957 general election and with the cooperation of elected independent members took control of the Legislative Council from the Grenada United Labour Party.

1958

The British defeated Fédon's forces in late 1796, but they never caught Fédon himself, and his fate is unknown. ==19th century== ===Early 19th century=== In 1833, Grenada became part of the British Windward Islands Administration and remained so until 1958.

In 1958, the Windward Islands Administration was dissolved, and Grenada joined the Federation of the West Indies. In 1960, another constitutional evolution established the post of Chief Minister, making the leader of the majority party in the Legislative Council, which at that time was Herbert Blaize, effective head of government.

1960

In 1958, the Windward Islands Administration was dissolved, and Grenada joined the Federation of the West Indies. In 1960, another constitutional evolution established the post of Chief Minister, making the leader of the majority party in the Legislative Council, which at that time was Herbert Blaize, effective head of government.

1961

In March 1961 the Grenada United Labour Party won the general election and George E.D.

Clyne became chief minister until Eric Gairy was elected in a by-election and took the role in August 1961.

Also in 1961 the cruise ship the Bianca C caught fire in the St Georges harbor.

1962

In April 1962 Grenada's Administrator, the Queens representative on the island, James Lloyd suspended the constitution, dissolved the Legislative Council, and removed Eric Gairy as Chief Minister, following allegations concerning the Gairy's financial impropriety.

At the 1962 general election the Grenada National Party won a majority and Herbert Blaize became Chief Minister for the second time. After the Federation of the West Indies collapsed in 1962, the British government tried to form a small federation out of its remaining dependencies in the Eastern Caribbean.

1967

Under the West Indies Act on 3 March 1967 (also known as the Associated Statehood Act) Grenada was granted full autonomy over its internal affairs.

Herbert Blaize was the first Premier of the Associated State of Grenada from March to August 1967.

Eric Gairy served as Premier from August 1967 until February 1974, as the Grenada United Labour Party won majorities in both the 1967 and 1972 general elections. ==Independence, Revolution and US invasion: 1974–1983== ===Independence=== On 7 February 1974, Grenada became a fully independent state.

1970

The Grenada Revolution: Reflections and Lessons (University Press of Mississippi; 2015) 320 pages; $political history of the 1970s and 1980s Kurlansky, Mark.

1972

Eric Gairy served as Premier from August 1967 until February 1974, as the Grenada United Labour Party won majorities in both the 1967 and 1972 general elections. ==Independence, Revolution and US invasion: 1974–1983== ===Independence=== On 7 February 1974, Grenada became a fully independent state.

1974

George's, became the capital of the British Windward Islands. Grenada achieved independence from Britain in 1974.

Eric Gairy served as Premier from August 1967 until February 1974, as the Grenada United Labour Party won majorities in both the 1967 and 1972 general elections. ==Independence, Revolution and US invasion: 1974–1983== ===Independence=== On 7 February 1974, Grenada became a fully independent state.

Eric Gairy was independent Grenada's first prime minister serving from 1974 until his overthrow in 1979.

1976

Gairy won re-election in Grenada's first general election as an independent state in 1976; however, the opposition New Jewel Movement refused to recognize the result, claiming the poll was fraudulent, and so began working towards the overthrow of the Gairy regime by revolutionary means.

1979

Following a coup by the Marxist New Jewel Movement in 1979, the island was invaded by United States troops and the government overthrown.

Eric Gairy was independent Grenada's first prime minister serving from 1974 until his overthrow in 1979.

George's University was established. ===The 1979 coup and revolutionary government=== On March 13, 1979, the New Jewel Movement launched an armed revolution which removed Gairy, suspended the constitution, and established a People's Revolutionary Government (PRG), headed by Maurice Bishop who declared himself prime minister.

1980

The Grenada Revolution: Reflections and Lessons (University Press of Mississippi; 2015) 320 pages; $political history of the 1970s and 1980s Kurlansky, Mark.

1983

All political parties except for the New Jewel Movement were banned and no elections were held during the four years of PRG rule. ===The 1983 coups=== On 14 October 1983, a power struggle within Bishop's ruling party ended with his house arrest.

A four-day total curfew was declared under which any civilian outside their home was subject to summary execution. ===Invasion=== A U.S.–Caribbean force invaded Grenada on October 25, 1983, in an action called Operation Urgent Fury, and swiftly defeated the Grenadian forces and their Cuban allies.

1984

The United States gave $48.4 million in economic assistance to Grenada in 1984. In 1986, members of the PRG and the PRA were criminally tried for civilian killings associated with the Oct.

1986

The United States gave $48.4 million in economic assistance to Grenada in 1984. In 1986, members of the PRG and the PRA were criminally tried for civilian killings associated with the Oct.

Five NNP parliamentary members, including two cabinet ministers, left the party in 1986–87 and formed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which became the official opposition.

1989

The NNP continued in power until 1989 but with a reduced majority.

In August 1989, Prime Minister Blaize broke with the GNP to form another new party, The National Party (TNP), from the ranks of the NNP.

Prime Minister Blaize died in December 1989 and was succeeded as prime minister by Ben Jones until after the 1990 elections. The National Democratic Congress emerged from the 1990 elections as the strongest party, winning 7 of the fifteen available seats.

1990

This split in the NNP resulted in the formation of a minority government until constitutionally scheduled elections in March 1990.

Prime Minister Blaize died in December 1989 and was succeeded as prime minister by Ben Jones until after the 1990 elections. The National Democratic Congress emerged from the 1990 elections as the strongest party, winning 7 of the fifteen available seats.

1991

In 1991, all the murder sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

1995

Braithwaite resigned in Feb 1995 and was succeeded as Prime Minister by George Brizan who served until the Jun 1995 election. In parliamentary elections on 20 June 1995, the NNP won 8 of the 15 seats and formed a government headed by Keith Mitchell.

1999

The NNP maintained and affirmed its hold on power when it took all 15 parliamentary seats in the January 1999 elections.

2004

The island's major crop, nutmeg, was significantly damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. ==Early history== Approximately 2 million years ago, Grenada was formed by volcanic activity which then resulted in land formation. The earliest potential evidence for human presence on Grenada comes from the increase of charcoal particulates and the decline of arboreal pollen from the original climax forests, around 3760-3525 BC, during the Archaic Age.

The commission began shortly after the boys concluded their project. ===Hurricane Ivan=== On September 7, 2004, Grenada was hit directly by category four Hurricane Ivan.

2005

Hurricane Emily ravaged the island's north end in June 2005. ==See also== British colonization of the Americas French colonization of the Americas History of North America History of the Americas History of the British West Indies History of the Caribbean List of governors of the Windward Islands List of heads of government of Grenada Politics of Grenada Spanish colonization of the Americas West Indies Federation ==References== ==Further reading== Grenade, Wendy C.

2014

. Puri, Shalini: The Grenada Revolution in the Caribbean Present - Operation Urgent Memory Palgrave Macmillan US 2014 ==External links== Background Note: Grenada History of the Invasion of Grenada from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives

2015

The Grenada Revolution: Reflections and Lessons (University Press of Mississippi; 2015) 320 pages; $political history of the 1970s and 1980s Kurlansky, Mark.




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