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Discovery
Due to a navigational error, Captain John Powell landed on Barbados on May 4th, 1625. He claimed the island for the English, King James I. -
First Settlement
Captain Henry Powell established the first colony on Barbados at Holetown. Sugarcane plantations, worked by slaves, fueled the economy. -
House of Assembly
Barbados first parliament met sometime in 1639, the exact date is unknown. This was only the third parliament of it's kind in the world. -
Crowned Possession
Sometime in 1663 Barbados became a crowned possession of the English empire. The exact date is unknown. -
Rebellion
On April 14 the largest slave rebellion in Barbadian history began, and lasted until April 16 1816. -
Slavery Abolished
The Slavery Abolition Act went into effect on August 1, 1834. This had a considerable impact on the economy of the island because slaves were integral to plantation's success. -
Full Internal Government
England granted Barbados full internal government sometime in 1961. This was a major step towards independence. -
Independence
The island of Barbados officially became a free state with Errol Barrow of the Democratic Labor Party as it's leader. -
The UN
Barbados officially joined the United Nations which solidified it's reputation as a peaceful, democratic, and productive nation. -
Barbados Breaks Tradition
Barbados broke a longstanding tradition having the Queen of England as their head of state. This was another show of Barbadian independence