Jamaica History Timeline and Historical Dates
Jamaica is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles, in the Caribbean. The original inhabitants of Jamaica are the Arawaks, believed to have arrived from South America some 2,500 years ago.
Jamaica History Timeline
1494
Christopher Columbus arrived in Jamaica on May 4 1494, however the Spanish formed settlements in 1509.
1655
On May 10 1655, Great Britain took control of Jamaica from the Spanish.
1664
Sir Thomas Modyford, a sugar plantation owner in Barbados appointed first British governor of Jamaica.
1692
Devastating earthquake at Port Royal
1831
Christmas Revolution
1834
Emancipation proclamation was read on August 1, 1834
1947
Autonomy from Britain was granted in 1947
1958
Jamaica became a key member of the British-sponsored West Indies Federation
1962
Jamaica became independent from the British on the 6 August 1962.
Read more on the history of Jamaica
National Anthem: “Jamaica, Land We Love”.
Capital: Kingston – 1872-present day. Spanish Town 1692-1872. Port Royal 1655-1692. Santiago de la Vega 1535-1655
Prime Ministers of Jamaica
Norman Washington Manley (PNP) – 4 Jul 1959 – 29 Apr 1962
Sir Alexander Bustamante (JLP)- 29 Apr 1962 – 23 Feb 1967
Donald Burns Sangster (JLP) – 23 Feb 1967 – 11 Apr 1967 (from 6 Apr 1967, Sir Donald Burns Sangster)
Hugh Lawson Shearer (JLP) – 11 Apr 1967 – 2 Mar 1972
Michael Manley (PNP) – 2 Mar 1972 – 1 Nov 1980
Edward Seaga (JLP) – 1 Nov 1980 – 10 Feb 1989
Michael Manley (PNP) – 10 Feb 1989 – 30 Mar 1992
Percival James Patterson (PNP) – 30 Mar 1992 – 1 April 2006
Portia Simpson Miller (PNP) – 1 April 2006 – 11 September 2007
Bruce Golding (JLP) – 11th September 2007 to 23 October 2011
Andrew Holness (JLP) – 23 October 2011 to 5 January 2012
Portia Simpson Miller (PNP) – 5th January 5 2012 to present
Political Parties:
JLP = Jamaica Labour Party PNP = People’s National Party
More Timelines
Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, Tobago, Trinidad, St Lucia, Grenada