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Antigua was visited in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who named it for the Church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Sevilla (Seville), Spain
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The Spanish Empire claimed the entire Caribbean and most of Latin America. Hispanola, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica, and Trinidad were settled.
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English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, waged war on Spanish ships and ports
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British, French and Dutch forces seized Caribbean territories from failing Spanish Empire. Illegal "piracy" and legal "privateering" began throughout the Caribbean.
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British colonized Barbados, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla, Tortola and Windward Islands
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The Golden Age of Piracy began in the Caribbean
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English conquered Jamaica
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Caribbean colonies prospered in sugar, tobacco, and rice farming. Trade between colonies and nations prevalent
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The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into force on 1 August 1834.
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The Federation of the West Indies was created - included many Caribbean colonies. It was a political union of colonized Caribbean entities that, if realized, would have united ten British territories into a single, independent state.
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On August 6, 1962, the Colony of Jamaica became an independent country.
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Barbados declared their independence from Britain
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The Bahamas declared independence from Britain.
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Grenada declared independence from Britain.
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Antigua and Barbuda achieved independence, with Vere Bird as the first prime minister.
