Timeline of Antiguan and Barbudan history

This is a timeline of Antiguan and Barbudan history, consisting of various important political and historical events. To read about the background to these events, see the History of Antigua and Barbuda.

16th and 17th centuries YearDateEventSource1520Don Antonio Serrano attempts to colonise Antigua, expels indigenous people.1627Earl of Carlisle granted Antigua.1629Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc and his crew attempt to colonise Antigua, leave due to lack of water.1632Antigua successfully settled by Sir Thomas Warner, under instructions of the Earl of Carlisle.1640Kalinago pillage British settlements. Members of the Governor's family may have been killed.1654Major Kalinago attack, Kalinago defeated 16664:00 am, 3 NovemberFrench attack Antigua, occupy it until the Treaty of Breda166813 AprilAntigua's legislature meets for the first time1671British Leeward Islands established168124 AugustOriginal five parishes of Antigua are established16859 JanuaryCodrington family is granted lease of Barbuda1689Christopher Codrington becomes governor

18th century YearDateEventSource1702First town markets established St. John's elects its first town wardens1706Daniel Parke arrives in Antigua17107 DecemberParke is killed172522 JanuaryDivision of New North Sound (then part of Saint Peter) becomes the Parish of Saint George1736Kingdom of Antigua plot uncovered1772St. John's and English Harbour are severely damaged by hurricanes1776Sancta Rita, a Spanish ship, is shipwrecked off the coast of Barbuda1793Black Antiguans allowed to serve in the Antiguan militia's artillery1794Antigua joins invasion of Guadeloupe and Martinique

19th century YearDateEventSource1800Census conducted. Antigua has a population of 37,0001805French squadron nearly attacks Antigua, decides to attack Nevis instead18081 MarchSlave trade abolished1813Police force established1816British Leeward Islands abolished, Antigua-Barbuda-Montserrat established1820Census is taken. Antigua has 37,031 people, Barbuda has 503 945-man militia is raised1832British Leeward Islands reestablished18341 AugustEmancipation Day1834Liberta established18381 JulyMilitia is abolished1842Bermudian Valley and Bridgetown become ghost towns. Bridgetown residents moved to Freetown1858Point uprising due to dispute between Antiguan dockworkers and Barbudan dockworkers18601 AugustBarbuda reverts to British crown, becomes dependency of Antigua1871British Leeward Islands federalise

20th century YearDateEventSource190430 AprilBarbuda Ordinance goes into force, establishes system of island wardens and formalises communal land191414 AugustAntigua Defence Force put on active duty194626 JulyFirst election held in AntiguaBrian Dyde (2000) A History of Antigua: The Unsuspected Isle, Macmillan Caribbean, p2371945Village councils established1950DecemberVillage council elections held195120 DecemberFirst democratic election held in AntiguaDieter Nohlen (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p66 19583 JanuaryColony of Antigua joins the West Indies Federation, becomes the Territory of Antigua 19601 JanuaryAntigua becomes self-governing196231 MayWest Indies Federation abolished196529 NovemberGeneral election held196628 FebruaryAntigua Constitutional Conference held196727 FebruaryAssociated State of Antigua established1969Barbudan independence movement emerges197111 FebruaryProgressive Labour Movement takes office197623 DecemberBarbuda Local Government Act19811 NovemberAntigua gains independence, renamed to Antigua and Barbuda198417 AprilFirst election held after independence1992Vere Bird involved in bribery scandalRoger East and Richard Thomas, "Profiles of people in power: the world's government leaders" (2003). Psychology Press, pp. 16-17.19948 MarchLester Bird becomes second Prime Minister after an election deemed neither free nor fairNohlen, p6219999 MarchAnother election deemed neither free nor fair is held, Lester Bird remains prime ministerNohlen, p63

21st century YearDateEventSource200423 MarchFirst democratic general elections since 1989 in Antigua and Barbuda are held, Baldwin Spencer becomes Prime Minister200912 MarchBaldwin Spencer retains office, holding a two-seat majority201412 JuneGaston Browne becomes Prime Minister20178 SeptemberNearly all of Barbuda's infrastructure destroyed, entire population evacuated to Antigua until about late 2018.201821 MarchEarly elections held, resulting in a landslide victory for the Labour Party202318 JanuaryGeneral election held, Labour Party holds one-seat majority20244 NovemberAsot Michael assassinated

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