10 Historical events on Suriname

Suriname first seen

Jan 1, 1498

Christopher Columbus sights the coast of Surinam.

First civilization

Jan 1, 1602

Dutch establish settlements in Suriname

British settlements

Jan 1, 1651

British slave owners make their first settlement in Suriname.

Slavery in Suriname

Jan 1, 1682

British bring their first plantation over to start harvesting sugar cane and coffee

Slavery abolished

Mar 14, 1863

Slavery abolished from plantations

Start of independence

Jan 1, 1954

Suriname given full autonomy from the Netherlands

Independence Day

Nov 25, 1975

All political parties lifted

Jan 1, 1985

Ban of political parties was lifted

Civil War

Jan 1, 1986

African slaves begin guerrilla war for new constitutional order

Constitution change

Jan 1, 1987

97% vote to approve new civilian constitution.