History of Cayman Islands in Timeline

The Cayman Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory composed of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Situated south of Cuba and northeast of Honduras, the territory lies between Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. George Town, located on Grand Cayman, serves as the capital and is the most populous area within the islands. The territory encompasses 264 square kilometers.

1958: Internally self-governing territory of Jamaica

From 1958, the Cayman Islands became an internally self-governing territory of Jamaica.

1962: Separate Crown colony

In 1962, the Cayman Islands became a separate Crown colony after Jamaica's independence, reverting to direct British rule.

1962: Cayman Islands separate from Jamaica

In 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to separate from Jamaica and remain under British rule, following Jamaica’s independence from the United Kingdom.

1970: Establishment of International College of the Cayman Islands

In 1970, the International College of the Cayman Islands was established in Grand Cayman.

1972: New constitution grants internal autonomy

In 1972, a new constitution granted the Cayman Islands a large degree of internal autonomy.

1973: Cayman Islands Olympic Committee Founded

In 1973, the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee was founded.

1976: Cayman Islands Basketball Federation Joined FIBA

In 1976, the Cayman Islands Basketball Federation joined the international basketball governing body FIBA.

1976: Recognition by IOC

In 1976, the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee was recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

1977: Pirates Week festival started

In 1977, the Pirates Week festival was started to boost tourism during the country's tourism slow season.

1984: Narcotics Agreement with the United States

In 1984, the government entered into the Narcotics Agreement with the United States to reduce narcotics trafficking.

1984: Establishment of Cayman National Cultural Foundation

The Cayman National Cultural Foundation was established in 1984 to help preserve and promote Cayman folk music.

April 1986: First marine protected areas designated

In April 1986, the first marine protected areas were designated in the Cayman Islands, making them the first islands in the Caribbean to protect their fragile marine life.

1986: Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States

In 1986, the government entered into the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States to reduce money laundering.

1990: Forest Cover

In 1990, Cayman Islands forest cover was 13,130 hectares (ha).

1992: Beginnings of Cayman 27

Cayman 27 was available as one of the television broadcast stations in the Cayman Islands starting from 1992.

September 1994: USS Kittiwake decommissioned

On September 30, 1994, the USS Kittiwake was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

1994: Constitution revisions

Further revisions to the constitution of the Cayman Islands were made in 1994.

1996: Founding of National Gallery of the Cayman Islands

Founded in 1996, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is an arts organisation that seeks to fulfil its mission through exhibitions, artist residencies, education/outreach programmes and research projects in the Cayman Islands.

July 1997: CARICOM Skilled Persons Act

In July 1997, the CARICOM (Free Movement) Skilled Persons Act came into effect in some of the CARICOM countries such as Jamaica, potentially allowing CARICOM nationals with the "A Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skilled Person" to work in the Cayman Islands.

1997: Cayman Islands Joined International Cricket Council

In 1997, the Cayman Islands joined the International Cricket Council as an Affiliate member.

2000: Atheism on the rise

Since 2000, atheism has been on the rise throughout the islands.

2000: Emergence of Major Political Parties

Since 2000, the Cayman Democratic Party (CDP) and the People's Progressive Movement (PPM) have emerged as the two major political parties in the Cayman Islands.

March 2001: Formation of Cayman Islands Cadet Corps

In March 2001, the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps was formed to carry out military-type training with teenage citizens.

2002: Cayman Islands Became Associate Member of ICC

In 2002, the Cayman Islands became an Associate member of the International Cricket Council.

2003: Immigration Law

In 2003, the Immigration Law (2003 revision) was written by the United Democratic Party government.

September 2004: Hurricane Ivan strikes the Cayman Islands

In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck the Cayman Islands, causing two deaths and significant damage to infrastructure, with an estimated economic impact of $3.4 billion.

September 2004: Hurricane Ivan batters Grand Cayman

On September 11, 2004, Hurricane Ivan battered the island of Grand Cayman, causing widespread damage and flooding.

April 2005: Opening of Black Pearl Skate Park

In April 2005, Black Pearl Skate Park was opened in Grand Cayman by Tony Hawk.

2007: Opening of Cayman Islands Civil Service College

In 2007, the Cayman Islands Civil Service College opened in Grand Cayman, offering degree programs and continuing education units.

November 2008: Ownership of USS Kittiwake transferred

In November 2008, ownership of the USS Kittiwake was transferred to the government of the Cayman Islands for an undisclosed amount.

June 2009: Plan to sink the Kittiwake

In June 2009, the Cayman Islands government decided to sink the USS Kittiwake to form a new artificial reef off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman.

2009: New Constitution Incorporating Bill of Rights

In 2009, a new Constitution, incorporating a Bill of Rights, was established for the Cayman Islands by a statutory instrument of the United Kingdom. This constitution also outlined a 19-seat Parliament elected every four years.

2009: New Constitution

Under the 2009 Constitution, the Deputy Governor and the Attorney General do not vote in Parliament. They are appointed by the Governor and serve in a professional and advisory role to the MPs.

February 2010: Opening of First Kart Racing Track

In February 2010, the first purpose-built track for kart racing in the Cayman Islands was opened.

2010: Christianity

In 2010, over 80% of the Cayman Islands' population identified as Christian.

January 2011: USS Kittiwake scuttled

On January 5, 2011, the USS Kittiwake was scuttled to create an artificial reef off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman.

2011: National Team Attends Caribbean Basketball Championship

In 2011, the country's national team attended the Caribbean Basketball Championship for the first time.

December 2012: Women's World Championships

In December 2012, the Women's World Championships replaced the former Cayman Open as the largest squash tournament in the world, being held in Camana Bay.

2014: Unemployment rate recorded

The Cayman Islands recorded an unemployment rate of 4.7% in 2014.

December 2015: Vessel Registration

As of December 2015, 360 commercial vessels and 1,674 pleasure craft were registered in the Cayman Islands totalling 4.3 million GT.

2015: Unemployment rate

As of 2015, the Cayman Islands had a relatively low unemployment rate of about 4.24%.

2015: Forest Ownership

In 2015, 0% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership, 12% private ownership and 88% with ownership listed as other or unknown.

2016: Allegations of financial crimes

In 2016, the Cayman Islands came under criticism for allegations of money laundering and other financial crimes, including a statement by then US president Barack Obama that described a particular building which was the registered address of over 12,000 corporations as a "tax scam".

May 2017: General Election Results in Coalition Government

In May 2017, following the General Election, members of the PPM and CDP joined with three independent members to form a government coalition, despite previous years of rivalry.

2017: Gold Medal Victory in Natwest Island Games

The Cayman Islands National Male National Team had a Gold Medal victory in the 2017 Natwest Island Games.

2018: GDP per capita

According to the CIA World Factbook, the Cayman Islands' real GDP per capita is the tenth highest in the world, but the CIA's data for Cayman dates to 2018 and is likely to be lower than present-day values.

2018: Establishment of Coast Guard

In 2018, the PPM-led Coalition government pledged to form a coast guard. Also in mid-2018, Commander Robert Scotland and Lieutenant Commander Leo Anglin were appointed as the first commanding officer and Second-in-Command respectively.

October 2019: Formation of the Cayman Islands Regiment

On 12 October 2019, the government announced the formation of the Cayman Islands Regiment, a new British Armed Forces unit.

November 2019: Cayman Islands Coast Guard to Become Operational

In late November 2019, it was announced that the Cayman Islands Coast Guard would become operational in January 2020.

December 2019: Recruitment for Commanding Officers and Junior Officers Began

In mid-December 2019, recruitment for commanding officers and junior officers began for the Cayman Islands Regiment.

2019: End of Cayman 27

Cayman 27 stopped broadcasting between 1992 and 2019.

2019: First Deployment for the Cayman Islands Coast Guard

In mid-2019, the commander and second-in-command took part in international joint operations with the United States Coast Guard and the Jamaica Defense Force Coast Guard called Operation Riptide, marking the first deployment for the Cayman Islands Coast Guard.

2019: Gold Medal Victory in Natwest Island Games

The Cayman Islands National Male National Team had a Gold Medal victory in the 2019 Natwest Island Games.

January 2020: Coast Guard to Become Operational

In January 2020, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard was expected to become operational, with an initial total of 21 Coast Guardsmen half of which would come from the joint marine unit.

January 2020: First Officers Chosen for Cayman Islands Regiment

In January 2020, the first officers were chosen for the Cayman Islands Regiment.

January 2020: Commanding Officers Expected to Begin Work

The commanding officers for the Cayman Islands Regiment were expected to begin work in January 2020.

February 2020: No-Confidence Motion and Dissolution of Parliament

In February 2020, CDP leader McKeeva Bush received a suspended jail sentence, leading to a no-confidence motion. Premier McLaughlin asked Governor Martyn Roper to dissolve Parliament triggering early elections.

February 2020: Junior Officers Expected to Begin Work

The junior officers for the Cayman Islands Regiment were expected to begin work in February 2020.

2020: Forest Cover

In 2020, Cayman Islands forest cover is around 53% of the total land area, equivalent to 12,720 hectares (ha) of forest.

2020: Cayman Islands Regiment Becomes Fully Operational

In 2020, the Cayman Islands Regiment became fully operational with an initial 35–50 personnel of mostly reservists.

2020: Muslim population in the Cayman Islands

In 2020, there were an estimated 121 Muslims in the Cayman Islands.

February 2021: Minimum wage

As of February 2021, the minimum wage in the Cayman Islands is $6 KYD for standard positions, and $4.50 for workers in the service industry.

October 2021: Cayman Islands Population Census

According to the Census of October 10, 2021, the Cayman Islands had a population of 71,432.

October 2021: Census Results

According to the Economics and Statistics Office, the final result of the October 20, 2021 Census was 71,432.

October 2021: Cayman Islands Coast Guard Act Passed

On 5 October 2021, the Cayman Islands Parliament passed the Cayman Islands Coast Guard Act, establishing the Coast Guard as a uniformed department of Government.

2021: Cayman Islands Population

As of 2021, the Cayman Islands had a population of 69,656, which resulted in the need for foreign work permits.

2021: Caymanian General Election

Before the 2021 Caymanian general election, the Democratic Party was described as "[appearing] to be defunct" as figures previously of the party instead contested as independents.

2021: Growth of the Cayman Islands Regiment

Between 2020 through 2021 the Cayman Islands Regiment grew to over a hundred personnel.

2021: Christianity

In 2021, 67% of the Cayman Islands' population identified as Christian.

December 2022: Cayman Islands population estimate

As of December 2022, the population of the Cayman Islands was estimated to be 81,546.

December 2022: Jordan Crooks Wins Gold at World Swimming Championships

In December 2022, swimmer Jordan Crooks became the first Caymanian athlete to become world champion in any sport, winning the gold medal in the 50 m freestyle event at the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m).

2022: Population report

According to a late 2022 population report by the Economics and Statistics Office, the estimated population at the end of 2022 was 81,546.

July 2024: HMS Trent Deploys to Cayman Islands

In July 2024, HMS Trent, a patrol vessel, was deployed to the Cayman Islands to provide assistance following Hurricane Beryl. HMS Trent temporarily replaced HMS Medway.

2024: Jordan Crooks Establishes World Record

During the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m), Jordan Crooks established a new world record in the 50 m freestyle event with a time of 19.90, becoming the first swimmer in history to break the 20-second barrier.