Jamaica Timeline

  • May 5, 1494

    christopher columbus sights jamaica

    christopher columbus sights jamaica
    in 1494 Christopher Columbus was believed to have sight jamaica. He went to the island because he had heard the "land of blessed gold" soon after discovering the island, he did not find any gold. This is important because this is when Jamaica was discovered.
  • English attack

    English attack
    Admiral William penn and General Robert venables lead an successful attack on jamaica and is captured by the British. Soon they surrendered and freed the slaves. This is important because this is one of Jamaica's biggest things that has happened in their history, and lead to what their country is today.
  • Point Royal devasted by Earthquake

    Point Royal devasted by Earthquake
    Point Royal was a historic harbor town that was the busiest trading center of the British West Indies. In 1692 an earthquake devastated the city which sunk most of the land beneath the sea.
  • morant bay rebellion:

    morant bay rebellion:
    They freed slaves in the rebellion against the British and then jamaica became a crown colony. This is significant because this is when jamaica was free from slavery and became a free country.
  • jamaica becomes independent

    jamaica becomes independent
    This is significant to Jamaica because they are now an Independent country and does not have another country controlling them.
  • Edward Seaga becomes Prime Minister

    Edward Seaga becomes Prime Minister
    Edward Seaga becomes Prime Minister after his JLP wins the general elections. He distanced Jamaica from Cuba and the US granted him government substantial aid.
  • Drug Laws

    Drug Laws
    The government takes action to entirely reform the country's drug laws. This is important because Jamaica is talking about decriminalising it for religious, medicinal and scientific purposes.