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 islands north coast
during the explorers fourth expedition. The explorer stays at Santa
Gloria, now St. Anns Bay.
1509: The first Spanish colony is established in Jamaica in what is now
St. Anns 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.
|