Bahams Historical Events By JayToBold Period: 1442 to 1442 Christopher Columbus makes his first landing in the New World in the Bahamas. Period: 1647 to 1647 English and Bermudan religious refugees, the Eleutheran Adventurers, establish the first European settlement on the Bahamas Period: 1666 to 1666 Colonisation of New Providence Island begins. Period: 1717 to 1717 Bahamas become a British crown colony. Period: 1783 to 1783 Spain cedes the Bahamas to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Paris after briefly occupying the islands the previous year. Period: 1940 to 1945 The Duke of Windsor - formerly King Edward VIII - serves as governor of the Bahamas. Period: 1950 to 1950 Britain grants the US a military test range and tracking station for guided missiles in the Bahamas. Period: 1964 to 1964 Bahamas granted internal autonomy. Period: 1973 to 1973 The Bahamas become independent.