Grenada

300 BCE

Arrival of the Arawak people

The island was first settled by Arawak-speaking Indigenous people, who migrated from South America. They established early agricultural societies and fishing communities on the island.

1498

Christopher Columbus sights the island

Christopher Columbus reached the island during his third voyage and named it Concepcion. The island was later renamed Granada by Spanish sailors, referencing the city in Spain.

1650

French settlement of Grenada

A French expedition led by Jacques Dyel du Parquet established a permanent settlement and a trading post on the island. This marked the beginning of formal European colonization.

1763

Ceded to Britain by Treaty of Paris

Under the Treaty of Paris, France officially ceded control of Grenada to Great Britain following the Seven Years' War. This shifted the island into the British colonial sphere.

1795

Fédon's Rebellion

Julien Fédon led an armed uprising against British colonial rule, inspired by the French Revolution. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by British forces in 1796.

1834

Abolition of slavery

The British Empire enacted the Slavery Abolition Act, leading to the emancipation of enslaved people in Grenada. This fundamentally altered the social and economic structure of the island.

1967

Granted status of Associated State

Grenada was granted the status of an Associated State of the United Kingdom, allowing for full internal self-government. This served as a transitional step toward complete sovereignty.

1974

Grenada gains independence

Grenada officially achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on February 7. Eric Gairy became the first Prime Minister of the new sovereign nation.

1979

The Grenadian Revolution

The New Jewel Movement, led by Maurice Bishop, overthrew the government in a bloodless coup. The People's Revolutionary Government was established to steer the country toward socialist policies.

1983

U.S. led invasion of Grenada

Following internal political instability and the execution of Maurice Bishop, a U.S.-led coalition invaded the island. The intervention resulted in the removal of the military government and restored democratic governance.

2004

Hurricane Ivan devastation

Hurricane Ivan struck the island as a powerful Category 3 storm, destroying approximately 90 percent of the nation's housing. The event caused a major humanitarian and economic crisis requiring extensive international reconstruction aid.

2022

General election and leadership change

The National Democratic Congress won the 2022 general election, resulting in Dickon Mitchell becoming the Prime Minister of Grenada. This transition marked a change in the national political administration.