Jamaica History Timeline


600-1000 AD: Arawak Indians arrived in Jamaica from South America

1494: Columbus made his first visit to Jamaica

1503-1504: A shipwreck strands Columbus on the island’s north coast during the explorer’s fourth expedition. The explorer stays at Santa Gloria, now St. Ann’s Bay.

1509: The first Spanish colony is established in Jamaica in what is now St. Ann’s Bay.

1513: Enslaved Africans arrive in Jamaica.

1520: Jamaica begins to cultivate sugarcane.

1598: The Spanish governor proposes a separate area for the Arawak Indian population, which was quickly diminishing due to disease and hard labor conditions. The proposal fails.

1655: British troops invade and take over Jamaica. No Arawaks remain alive on the island.

1656: British colonists settle at Port Morant; most die from disease.

1670: Peace of Madrid officially puts Jamaica under British rule.

1678: First mention of slave uprising.

1690: First significant slave uprising in Clarendon; many slaves escape into Cockpit Country.

1690-1739: First Maroon War fought across the island as British fight Maroons.

1692: Port Royal suffers a catastrophic earthquake and thousands die.

1760: Slave uprising in St. Mary led by Tacky, a runaway slave.

1795: Second Maroon War.

1831: Hanging of Sam Sharpe, leader of last great slave rebellion, in Montego Bay.

1834: Slavery brought to an end. For four years after this event, slaves had to work without pay.

1835: Small groups of Germans arrive in Jamaica in Seaford Town.

1838: Slavery officially abolished in Jamaica.

1838-1917: Large migration of Indians into Jamaica.

1860-1893: Large migration of Chinese into Jamaica as indentured workers.

1960: Tourism industry begins.

1962: Jamaica becomes independent country.

1980: Elections result in hundreds of deaths in violent protests across island.

1988: Hurricane Gilbert hits Jamaica.

2004: Hurricane Ivan hits Jamaica on its way to Grand Cayman.