History of Bermuda in Timeline

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its closest landmass is North Carolina, located approximately 1,035 km to the west-northwest. As an overseas territory, Bermuda maintains ties to the United Kingdom while possessing its own governance and identity. Known for its stunning pink-sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, it is a popular tourist destination. Its location in the Atlantic has also given it a strategic importance throughout history.

1901: Bermuda part of North American and Australasian department

In 1901, the departments of the Colonial Office included the North American and Australasian department to which Bermuda was a part.

June 1902: Captain Fritz Joubert Duquesne escapes

On the night of 25 June 1902, Captain Fritz Joubert Duquesne, a Boer prisoner of war, escaped from his tent, navigated a barbed-wire fence, swam 1.5 miles, eluding patrol boats and spotlights, using the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse for direction, and arrived on the main island.

1902: Anglo-Boer War prisoners

During the Anglo-Boer War, which concluded in 1902, 5,000 Boer prisoners of war were housed on five islands of Bermuda, separated based on their views regarding the war.

1907: Newfoundland becomes Dominion

Following the 1867 Confederation of Canada, the Colony of Newfoundland became the Dominion of Newfoundland in 1907.

1907: Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and Newfoundland attains Dominion status

In 1907, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Halifax was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, and Newfoundland attained Dominion status. This left the British colonies in the British West Indies as the nearest territories still within the British Realm to Bermuda.

1908: Bermuda Included in West Indian Division

By 1908, the Crown Colonies Department was made up of a West Indian Division that included Bermuda, as well as other territories.

1914: Parents and grandparents of Dame Lois Browne-Evans emigrated to Bermuda

In 1914, the parents and grandparents of Dame Lois Browne-Evans emigrated to Bermuda from Nevis and St. Kitts.

1918: Early Easter Lily bulb exports

In 1918, there were 23 cases of Easter Lily bulbs exported from Bermuda due to disease.

1919: Newfoundland and Bermuda each received its own bishop

In 1919, Newfoundland and Bermuda each received its own bishop, separating the dioceses after being grouped under the Bishop of Newfoundland and Bermuda.

1920: Prohibition begins in the United States

In 1920, Bermuda became one of the centres for illegal alcohol smuggling during the era of Prohibition in the United States.

1922: Last recorded sweat bee

The sweat bee Lasioglossum semiviridie was last recorded in Bermuda in 1922.

1927: Easter Lily bulb exports showed a marked improvement

In 1927, after Lawrence Ogilvie identified a virus as the problem with the Easter Lily bulbs and instituted controls, exports showed a marked improvement, with 6,043 cases from 204 lily fields.

1930: First Aeroplane reaches Bermuda

In 1930, after several failed attempts, a Stinson Detroiter seaplane flew to Bermuda from New York City, marking the first aeroplane to reach the islands.

1930: Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

In 1930, the US Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act led to the decline of Bermuda's agricultural export trade to America, encouraging tourism development.

1931: Publication of "The History of Mary Prince"

In 1931, "The History of Mary Prince", a slave narrative by Mary Prince, was published. This book is considered the first notable book credited to a Bermudian and was released during the height of Great Britain's abolitionist movement.

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1931: Bermuda Railway opens

In 1931, the Bermuda Railway opened.

1933: Prohibition ends in the United States

Bermuda was one of the centres for illegal alcohol smuggling during the era of Prohibition in the United States (1920–1933).

1936: Deutsche Luft Hansa flights

In 1936 Deutsche Luft Hansa began to experiment with seaplane flights from Berlin via the Azores, with continuation flights to New York City.

1937: Airline services begin

In 1937, Imperial Airways and Pan American Airways began operating scheduled flying boat airline services from New York and Baltimore to Darrell's Island, Bermuda.

May 1940: US requests base rights in Bermuda

In May 1940, the US requested base rights in Bermuda from the United Kingdom.

September 1940: UK grants the US base rights in Bermuda as part of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement

In September 1940, as part of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement, the UK granted the US base rights in Bermuda.

1941: Construction began of two airbases

In 1941, construction began on two airbases in Bermuda, consisting of 5.8 km² of land reclaimed from the sea.

1941: US Army established the Bermuda Base Command

In 1941, the US Army established the Bermuda Base Command to coordinate its air, anti-aircraft, and coast artillery assets during the war.

1942: US Navy operated a submarine base on Ordnance Island

From 1942 to 1945, the US Navy operated a submarine base on Ordnance Island.

1942: Duquesne Spy Ring Arrest

In 1942, Col. Duquesne was arrested by the FBI for leading the Duquesne Spy Ring.

1943: RAF Transport Command relocated to the US Army airfield

In 1943, RAF Transport Command relocated to the US Army airfield in Bermuda from Darrell's Island.

1945: End of US Navy operation of submarine base

In 1945, the US Navy ended operation of its submarine base on Ordnance Island.

1948: Commercial airline service begins

In 1948, a regularly scheduled commercial airline service began operating, using land-based aeroplanes landing at Kindley Field, now L.F. Wade International Airport, boosting tourism.

1948: Bermuda Railway Abandoned

The Bermuda Railway was abandoned in 1948.

1951: Rediscovery of the Bermuda petrel

The Bermuda petrel or cahow, Bermuda's national bird, was rediscovered in 1951 after being thought extinct since the 1620s.

1952: Dominion replaced by British Realm

In 1952, the term 'Dominion' was replaced by 'British Realm' as dominions and colonies moved towards political independence.

December 1953: First Summit Conference Held

In December 1953, the first summit conference was held in Bermuda, at the insistence of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to discuss relations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Participants included Churchill, US president Dwight D. Eisenhower and French premier Joseph Laniel.

1953: Bermuda separated to become the Apostolic Prefecture of Bermuda Islands

In 1953, Bermuda was separated from the Archdiocese of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to become the Apostolic Prefecture of Bermuda Islands.

1954: Naval Facility Bermuda was converted from a US Army coast artillery bunker

In 1954, Naval Facility Bermuda (NAVFAC Bermuda), a submarine-detecting SOSUS station, was converted from a US Army coast artillery bunker.

1957: Second Summit Conference Held

In 1957 a second summit conference was held in Bermuda. The British prime minister, Harold Macmillan, arrived earlier than President Eisenhower, to demonstrate they were meeting on British territory.

1961: Third Summit Conference Held

In 1961 Harold Macmillan returned for the third summit in Bermuda with President John F. Kennedy to discuss Cold War tensions arising from construction of the Berlin Wall.

1962: Commonwealth Immigrants Act

In 1962, the Commonwealth Immigrants Act was introduced.

1965: Desegregation of schools enacted

In 1965, the desegregation of schools was enacted in Bermuda. Following this, some formerly "white" schools became private, while the rest joined the public school system.

1966: Bermuda Police Force begins recruiting constables from British West Indian police forces

In 1966, the Bermuda Police Force began recruiting constables from British West Indian police forces, starting with seven constables from Barbados, due to difficulties in local recruitment.

1967: Universal suffrage adopted

Universal suffrage was adopted as part of Bermuda's Constitution in 1967, removing property ownership as a requirement for voting.

1968: Commonwealth Immigrants Act modified

In 1968, the British Government modified the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 with the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968, with the first imposed immigration barriers against British nationals, including Bermudians.

1968: Constitution of Bermuda Comes into Force

In 1968, the Constitution of Bermuda came into force and has been amended several times since then.

1968: UBP in government

The UBP was in government from 1968.

1970: Bermuda switched its currency to Bermudian dollar

In 1970, Bermuda switched its currency from the Bermudian pound to the Bermudian dollar, which is pegged at par with the US dollar.

1970: Kindley Air Force Base transferred to the US Navy and redesignated Naval Air Station Bermuda

In 1970, Kindley Air Force Base on the eastern coast of Bermuda was transferred to the US Navy and redesignated Naval Air Station Bermuda.

1971: Immigration Act Introduced

In 1971, the Immigration Act was introduced.

1971: "Bermuda Report for the year 1971" recorded

The "Bermuda Report for the year 1971" recorded information about the recruitment of police constables from British West Indian police forces.

March 1973: Assassination of Governor Richard Sharples

On 10 March 1973, the governor of Bermuda, Richard Sharples, was assassinated during a period of civil unrest.

1973: CARICOM established

In 1973, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a socio-economic bloc of nations in or near the Caribbean Sea, was established.

1976: John Evans co-founded the West Indian Association of Bermuda

In 1976, John Evans, the Trinidadian-born husband of Dame Lois Browne-Evans, co-founded the West Indian Association of Bermuda.

1981: British Nationality Act Introduced

In 1981, the British Nationality Act was introduced.

1987: Hurricane Emily strikes

In 1987, Hurricane Emily was the first hurricane to strike Bermuda in three decades.

August 1989: Highest recorded temperature

In August 1989, Bermuda's highest recorded temperature was 34 °C (93 °F), caused by Hurricane Dean driving hot air northwards.

1990: Forest cover

Forest cover is around 20% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,000 hectares (ha) of forest in 1990.

1990: Summit Conference Held

In 1990, British prime minister Margaret Thatcher met US president George H. W. Bush in Bermuda.

1993: Lowest Temperature recorded

The lowest temperature 'since records began' was 43.3 °Celsius recorded on 26 February, 1993.

1995: Referendum rejects independence

A referendum was held in 1995 regarding independence for Bermuda, but it was decisively rejected.

1995: Independence referendum

In 1995, Bermuda held an independence referendum where a large majority voted against independence.

1995: HMS Malabar closed

In 1995, HMS Malabar, a Royal Navy supply base, was closed, along with American and Canadian bases.

1995: US forces withdrew from Bermuda

In 1995, US forces withdrew from Bermuda as part of base closures following the end of the Cold War.

1995: American military presence ends

The American military presence in Bermuda, which included a naval air station and submarine base, lasted until 1995.

1996: Meeting between Premier and President Clinton

In 1996, Premier David Saul met with President Bill Clinton at the White House.

1996: Bermuda Education Act

The Bermuda Education Act 1996 requires that only three categories of schools can operate in the Bermuda Education system.

1998: Establishment of Bermuda Basketball Association

In 1998, Bermuda established its own basketball association.

1998: UBP government ends

The UBP government ended in 1998.

2000: Population Ancestry Census

In the 2000 census, 51% of the population identified themselves with Bermudian ancestry.

2001: Uyghurs Captured in Pakistan

In 2001, four Uyghurs claiming to be refugees were captured in Pakistan after fleeing the American aerial bombardment of Afghanistan.

2002: British Dependent Territories Citizenship Renamed

In 2002, British Dependent Territories Citizenship was renamed British Overseas Territories citizenship.

June 2003: Average cost of a house was $976,000

In June 2003, The World Factbook listed the average cost of a house as $976,000.

July 2003: Bermuda becomes an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

In July 2003, Bermuda became an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) despite not being in the Caribbean region.

September 2003: Hurricane Fabian hits Bermuda

On 5 September 2003, Hurricane Fabian, a category 3 hurricane, directly hit Bermuda with wind speeds over 120 mph (190 km/h).

2004: Bermuda at the Summer Olympics

At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Bermuda competed in sailing, athletics, swimming, diving, triathlon and equestrian events. Katura Horton-Perinchief became the first black female diver to compete in the Olympic Games.

2005: Uyghurs Cleared for Release

In 2005, the Uyghurs were cleared as safe for release from Guantánamo.

2005: Affordability of housing became a prominent issue

In 2005, the affordability of housing became a prominent issue during Bermuda's business peak.

2005: Workforce Statistics

In 2005, the total workforce numbered 38,947 people, with government employment figures stating that 11,223 (29%) were non-Bermudians.

2006: Government support for cricket and football teams & Bermuda Hogges formation

In 2006, the Bermudian Government announced substantial financial support for Bermuda's cricket and football teams. In 2006, the Bermuda Hogges were also formed as the nation's first professional football team.

2006: Uyghurs Cleared for Release

In 2006, the Uyghurs were cleared as safe for release from Guantánamo.

October 2007: Bermuda hosts the PGA Grand Slam of Golf

In October 2007, Bermuda hosted the 25th PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a 36-hole event held at the Mid Ocean Club in Tucker's Town on 16–17 October. The tournament featured the winners of the Masters, US Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship.

2007: Real estate prices rises

By 2007, real estate agencies claimed the average house price had risen to between $1.6 million and $1.845 million, although such high figures have been disputed.

2007: Marion-Bermuda yacht race occurred

In 2007, the 16th biennial Marion-Bermuda yacht race occurred.

2007: United States Virgin Islands announced to seek ties with CARICOM

In 2007, the United States Virgin Islands announced that they would seek ties with CARICOM.

June 2008: Meeting between Premier and President Bush

On 23 June 2008, Premier Ewart Brown met with President George W. Bush.

September 2008: Uyghurs Cleared of Suspicion

In September 2008, the Uyghur men were cleared of all suspicion and Judge Ricardo Urbina in Washington ordered their release.

2008: Tourism sector vulnerable

In 2008 the tourism sector was vulnerable to external shocks, such as the 2008 recession.

2008: PGA Grand Slam of Golf returns to Bermuda

In 2008, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf returned to Bermuda.

May 2009: Bermuda joins the University of the West Indies

In May 2009, Bermuda's application to become a contributory member of the University of the West Indies (UWI) was approved. This membership allowed Bermudian students to enter the university at a subsidised rate.

June 2009: Uyghurs accepted into Bermuda

In June 2009 Bermuda agreed to accept the 22 Uyghur men after the US failed to find a home for them.

2009: PGA Grand Slam of Golf returns to Bermuda

In 2009, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf returned to Bermuda for the third consecutive year.

2010: Unveiling of "We Arrive" sculpture

In 2010, Alfred Birdsey's sculpture "We Arrive" was unveiled in Barr's Bay Park, overlooking Hamilton Harbour, to commemorate the freeing of slaves in 1835 from the American brig Enterprise.

2010: Bermuda becomes an associate contributing country

In 2010, Bermuda was announced to be an "associate contributing country" to the University of the West Indies due to local Bermudian laws.

2010: Population Ancestry Identified

In 2010, about 64% of the population identified themselves with Bermudian ancestry.

2010: Religion Statistics

In 2010, the largest religion in Bermuda was Christianity, with various Protestant denominations dominant at 46.2%, Roman Catholics at 14.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses at 1.3%, other Christians at 9.1%, Muslim at 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, or unspecified 6.2%.

2010: Death of Brian Burland

In 2010, the novelist Brian Burland, who achieved international success and acclaim, passed away.

2010: Portuguese taught in schools

Since 2010, Portuguese has been taught as an optional foreign language in the Bermudian school system.

2011: Google shifted over $10 billion in revenue to its Bermuda subsidiary

In 2011, Google is known to have shifted over $10 billion in revenue to its Bermuda subsidiary using tax avoidance strategies, reducing its tax liability by $2 billion.

2013: Bermuda Chaired Association

In 2013 Bermuda chaired the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association.

2013: Bermuda hosts the Island Games

In 2013, Bermuda hosted the biennial Island Games.

2013: Bermuda Hogges fold

In 2013, the Bermuda Hogges, the nation's first professional football team, folded.

March 2014: Banks assets in Bermuda

In March 2014, four banks operate in Bermuda, having consolidated total assets of $24.3 billion.

October 2014: Hurricane Gonzalo strikes Bermuda

On 18 October 2014, Category 2 Hurricane Gonzalo struck Bermuda directly, causing significant damage.

October 2016: Hurricane Nicole strikes Bermuda

On 14 October 2016, Category 3 Hurricane Nicole directly struck Bermuda, causing significant damage.

2016: Bermuda Census

According to the 2016 Bermuda census 5.6% of Bermuda residents were born in the US, representing over 18% of all foreign-born people.

2016: Healthcare providers in Bermuda

As of 2016, the approved healthcare providers in Bermuda were the government's Health Insurance Department, three other licensed health insurance companies, and three government-provided health insurance schemes.

2016: 2016 census results

Bermuda's 2016 Census put its population at 63,779, and with an area of 53.2 km (20.5 sq mi) it has a calculated population density of 1,201 people/km (3,110 people/mi).

2016: Biocapacity deficit

In 2016, Bermuda's ecological footprint of consumption was 7.5 global hectares per person, while its biocapacity was only 0.14 global hectares per person, resulting in a biocapacity deficit.

2017: Bermuda Chaired Association

In 2017 Bermuda chaired the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association.

2017: Hospital statistics

In 2017, Bermuda's hospitals recorded approximately 6,000 hospital admissions, 30,000 emergency department attendances, and 6,300 outpatient procedures.

June 2018: Premier Burt Announces Holiday

In June 2018, Premier Edward David Burt announced that November 4, 2019, would be declared a public holiday to mark the 170th anniversary of the arrival of the first Portuguese immigrants in Bermuda.

July 2018: Population estimate

As of July 2018 the population is estimated to be 71,176.

July 2018: Conscription was abolished

Conscription in the Royal Bermuda Regiment was abolished on 1 July 2018.

August 2018: Uyghurs Granted Limited Citizenship

In August 2018, the four Uyghurs were granted limited citizenship in Bermuda, providing them the same rights as Bermudians, except the right to vote.

2018: Lack of paramedics

In 2018, the Bermuda Hospitals Board stated that paramedics were not vital in Bermuda due to the island's small size.

November 2019: Public Holiday Declared

November 2019 was declared a public holiday to mark the 170th anniversary of the arrival of the first Portuguese immigrants in Bermuda.

2019: Population statistics

As of 2019, Bermuda had a population of around 64,000 people, making it the second-most populous of the British Overseas Territories.

2019: Bermuda has the 6th-highest GDP per capita in the world

As of 2019, Bermuda has the 6th-highest GDP per capita in the world.

2019: Bermuda national football team qualifies for CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2019, the Bermuda national football team qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which was the country's first major football competition.

October 2020: Bermuda Parliament Election

On 1 October 2020, an election took place for the Parliament of Bermuda, following which the Progressive Labour Party held onto power, with Edward David Burt sworn in as Premier for the second time.

2020: Flora Duffy wins gold medal

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Flora Duffy won Bermuda's first Olympic gold medal in the women's triathlon, making Bermuda the smallest overseas territory to earn a gold medal.

2020: Hurricane Paulette directly hits the island

Category 2 Hurricane Paulette directly hit the island in 2020.

2020: Forest Cover

Forest cover is around 20% of the total land area in 2020, equivalent to 1,000 hectares (ha) of forest.

2020: Royal Bermuda Regiment formed the Bermuda Coast Guard

In early 2020, the Royal Bermuda Regiment formed the Bermuda Coast Guard to handle search and rescue, counter-narcotics operations, border control, and protection of Bermuda's maritime interests.

March 2021: New Visa Policy Implemented

In March 2021, the government implemented a new visa policy towards foreigners, through which residency can be obtained by investing at least $2.5 million in real estate, Bermuda government bonds, debt relief fund or the Bermuda Trust Fund, and charity, among other options.