Bahamas

Bahamas Timeline

1492	Christopher Columbus lands in Guanahani, later renamed San Salvador. He also "discovers" the Americas.
1629	By this time, England considers the Bahamas British land.
1647	Captain William Sayle, former governor of Bermuda, sets sail with the Society of Eleutherian Adventurers, seeking religious freedom. They are shipwrecked off the coast of Eleuthra and settle the first two towns in the Bahamas: Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.

Harbour Island started as a religious settlement. Today it is popular with tourists because of its scenery.

1656	Another group of Bermudans settle New Providence.
1670	King Charles II puts the Bahamas in the competent hands of the Lord Proprietors of the Carolinas.
1680	Bahamas become infested with pirates.
1718	King George I appoints Captain Woodes Rogers as the colony's first royal governor. He rids the Bahamas of pirates by violent means.
1728	Through Governor Rogers, a parliamentary government system and constitution is established.
1776	A United States naval squadron captures Nassau for one day, and then withdraws.
1781	The Spanish return to reclaim the Bahamas and are quickly ousted by the British.
1782	Thousands of Loyalists settle in the Bahamas, encouraged by generous land grants from the crown.
1783	The Treaty of Versailles confirms that the Bahamas are British.
1862	The Bahamas flourish throughout the American Civil War as a medical supply and munitions transfer point. They also become Britain's primary source of cotton.
1920	The Bahamas become the main spot for running rum to the United States during the Prohibition.
1940	The Duke of Windsor is appointed governor until 1946.
1942	A training base is established to ferry American and British aircraft to combat zones in Africa, Europe, and the Far East during World War II.
1946	The Bahamas experience a boom in tourism which continues to this day. It becomes the major industry.

One of the biggest tourist attractions in the Bahamas is the famous Straw Market, in the capital.

1949	The Development Board (later known as the Ministry of Tourism) allots large amounts of money to promote the islands as a year round resort. This creates constant employment for the local residents.
1950	Reports of sunken treasureoff the tip of Great Abuco attract tourists and divers for years.
1964	The Bahamas become a self-governing state.
1972	In the September election, the PLP(Independence) beats the FNM (No Independence), 29 to 9.
1973	On July10, the Behamas become their own nation, but remain in the Commonwealth of Nations. The queen is represented by the Governor General of the Bahamas, starting with Sir Milo Butler.

Bahamas Fact Sheet

The Bahaman Islands were the first land "discovered" by Columbus in the New World.
Famous pirates, such as Black Beard and Henry Morgan, lived in the Bahamas for many years.
The original motto of the Bahamas was "Pirates Expelled, Commerce Restored."
The current motto of the Bahamas is "Forward, Onward, Together."
The Adeleide settlement in southwestern New Providence consists of fifteen to twenty families, living life as it was over a hundred years ago.
Before tourism became a year round industry, tourism existed for nobility and rich families, and it lasted for three to four months out of the year.
The Bahamas were indifferent to their own independence. They remain loyal to the crown in their hearts.

This Cat Island jail, named "Her Majesty's Prison", demonstrates the Bahamas' loyalty to the crown.