History of Jamaica in Timeline

Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean. It is the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles, after Cuba and Hispaniola. Situated south of Cuba and west of Hispaniola, Jamaica has a population of 2.8 million, making it the third most populous English-speaking country in the Americas and the fourth most populous in the Caribbean. Kingston is the capital and largest city.

1907: Earthquake in Jamaica

In 1907, Jamaica was struck by an earthquake and subsequent fire, resulting in considerable destruction in Kingston and causing the deaths of between 800 and 1,000 people.

1912: Construction of Kahal Kadosh Shaare Shalom

In 1912, Kahal Kadosh Shaare Shalom, also known as the United Congregation of Israelites, a historic synagogue, was built in Kingston. It is the official and only Jewish place of worship left on the island.

1917: Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League founded

In 1917, Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.

1920: H. G. de Lisser began publishing Planters' Punch

In 1920, H. G. de Lisser began publishing the magazine Planters' Punch.

1926: West India Regiment policing the empire

From 1795 to 1926, the West India Regiment was used extensively throughout the British Empire in policing the empire.

1934: British West Indian labour unrest

In 1934, Jamaica saw numerous strikes as part of the British West Indian labour unrest of 1934–39.

1938: Strike turns into a riot

In 1938, a strike in Jamaica turned into a riot, leading the British government to institute a commission for political and economic reforms.

1944: New House of Representatives established

In 1944, a new House of Representatives was established in Jamaica, elected by universal adult suffrage.

1951: Hurricane Charlie hits Jamaica

In 1951, Hurricane Charlie hit Jamaica directly, causing major damage and many deaths.

1953: Roger Mais published The Hills Were Joyful Together

In 1953, Roger Mais published the novel "The Hills Were Joyful Together".

1954: Roger Mais published Brother Man

In 1954, Roger Mais published the novel "Brother Man".

1955: Roger Mais published Black Lightning

In 1955, Roger Mais published the novel "Black Lightning".

1958: West India Regiment reformed

In 1958 the West Indies Regiment was reformed as part of the West Indies Federation, after dissolution of the Federation the JDF was established.

1958: Jamaica becomes a province in the Federation of the West Indies

In 1958, Jamaica became a province in the Federation of the West Indies.

August 1962: Independence from the United Kingdom

In August 1962, Jamaica achieved independence from the United Kingdom.

August 1962: Full independence attained

In August 1962, after leaving the Federation, Jamaica attained full independence.

1962: Current constitution drafted

In 1962 Jamaica's current constitution was drafted and came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act, 1962, which was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which gave Jamaica independence.

1962: Dr. No filming location

In 1962, Jamaica was used as a filming location for the James Bond film "Dr. No".

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1967: JLP victory in Jamaican general election

In the 1967 Jamaican general election, the JLP were victorious again, winning 33 out of 53 seats, with the PNP taking 20 seats.

1970: Birth of Marlon James

In 1970, novelist Marlon James was born.

1972: Jamaica's gross national product declined

By 1980, Jamaica's gross national product had declined to some 25% below its 1972 level.

1972: PNP elected under Michael Manley

In 1972, voters in Jamaica elected the PNP under Michael Manley. The PNP won 37 seats to the JLP's 16.

1973: Papillon filming location

In 1973, Jamaica was used as a filming location for the film "Papillon" starring Steve McQueen.

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1976: PNP landslide victory

In 1976, the PNP won another landslide, winning 47 seats to the JLP's 13.

1980: JLP back in under Edward Seaga

In 1980, Jamaicans voted the JLP back in under Edward Seaga, the JLP winning 51 seats to the PNP's nine seats.

1980: Consecutive win occurred for the JLP

The last time a consecutive win occurred for the JLP was in 1980.

1983: Troops sent to Grenada

In 1983, Jamaica sent troops to support the US invasion of Grenada.

1985: Strikes due to austerity measures

In 1985, strikes occurred in Jamaica due to austerity measures.

1988: Hurricane Gilbert hits Jamaica

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica directly, causing major damage and many deaths.

1988: Cocktail filming location

In 1988, Jamaica was used as a filming location for the film "Cocktail" starring Tom Cruise.

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1989: Michael Manley as Prime Minister

From 1989–1992, Michael Manley served as the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

1989: Michael Manley and the PNP re-elected

In 1989, Michael Manley and the PNP were re-elected, winning 45 seats to the JLP's 15.

1991: Economic liberalization and stabilization program

Since 1991, the Jamaican government has followed a program of economic liberalization and stabilization by removing exchange controls, floating the exchange rate, cutting tariffs, stabilising the Jamaican dollar, reducing inflation and removing restrictions on foreign investment.

1992: P. J. Patterson as Prime Minister

From 1992–2005, P. J. Patterson served as the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

1992: Establishment of Jamaica's first marine park

In 1992, Jamaica's first marine park was established in Montego Bay, covering nearly 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi).

1993: Cool Runnings filming location

In 1993, Jamaica was used as a filming location for the Disney comedy "Cool Runnings".

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1993: PNP victory in general election

In the 1993 Jamaican general election, Patterson led the PNP to victory, winning 52 seats to the JLP's eight seats.

1994: Troubles in the financial sector

In 1994, Jamaica's financial sector was troubled, with many banks and insurance companies suffering heavy losses and liquidity problems.

1996: Decrease in GDP

In 1996 there was a decrease in GDP largely due to significant problems in the financial sector.

January 1997: Establishment of the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (Finsac)

In January 1997, the government set up the Financial Sector Adjustment Company (Finsac) to assist troubled banks and companies, providing funds in return for equity.

January 1997: Agricultural Production Decline

Since January 1997, there has been a decline in agricultural production in Jamaica.

1997: Island-wide drought and hurricane

In 1997, a severe island-wide drought (the worst in 70 years) and hurricane drastically reduced agricultural production.

1997: PNP victory in general election

Patterson also won the 1997 Jamaican general election, by another landslide margin of 50 seats to the JLP's 10 seats.

January 1998: Increase in bauxite production

January 1998's bauxite production recorded a 7.1% increase relative to January 1998.

December 1998: Increase in bauxite and alumina production

From January to December 1998, bauxite and alumina production increased 5.5% compared to the corresponding period in 1997.

1998: Nominal GDP high

In 1998, nominal GDP was approximately a high of about 8 percent of GDP.

1998: Jamaica qualified for FIFA World Cup

In 1998, the Jamaica national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

1999: Increase in visitor arrivals

In 1999 the total visitor arrivals was 2 million, an increase of 100,000 from the previous year.

1999: Nominal GDP lowers

In 1999, nominal GDP lowered to 4½ percent of GDP.

1999: Designation of Portland Bight Protected Area

In 1999, the Portland Bight Protected Area was designated.

2000: Increase in agricultural production

In 2000, agricultural production increased to 5.5% in 2001.

2000: Nominal GDP lowers

In 2000, nominal GDP lowered to 4½ percent of GDP.

2001: Religion Statistics in Jamaica

According to the 2001 census, about 70% of Jamaicans are Protestants; Catholics are just 2% of the population.

2001: Finsac divests banks and companies

From 2001, after restoring banks and companies to financial health, Finsac divested them.

2001: Digicel granted licence

In 2001, Digicel Jamaica was granted a licence to operate mobile services in the liberalised telecom market.

2001: Increase in agricultural production

In 2001, agricultural production increased to 5.5% compared to the corresponding period in 2000.

2002: FLOW upgrades to GSM

In 2002, FLOW (formerly LIME) upgraded to GSM.

2002: PNP victory in general election

Patterson's third consecutive victory came in the 2002 Jamaican general election, when the PNP retained power, but with a reduced seat majority of 34 seats to 26.

2003: Municipality of Portmore created

The newest city municipality is the Municipality of Portmore, created 2003.

2004: Estimate of Jamaicans Living Abroad

It was estimated in 2004 that up to 2.5 million Jamaicans and Jamaican descendants lived abroad.

2005: Marlon James published John Crow's Devil

In 2005, Marlon James published the novel "John Crow's Devil".

2005: P. J. Patterson steps down

In 2005, P. J. Patterson stepped down as Prime Minister of Jamaica.

2005: Opposition leader called for the merger of the JDF and JCF

In early 2005, an Opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This has not garnered support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens.

February 2006: Portia Simpson-Miller replaces Patterson

On 26 February 2006, Portia Simpson-Miller replaced P. J. Patterson, becoming Jamaica's first female Prime Minister.

2006: FLOW decommissions TDMA

In 2006, FLOW decommissioned TDMA.

2006: Rugby league played in Jamaica

Rugby league has been played in Jamaica since 2006.

2007: Jamaican Language Unit Survey

A 2007 survey by the Jamaican Language Unit found that 17.1 percent of the population were monolingual in Jamaican Standard English (JSE), 36.5 percent were monolingual in Patois, and 46.4 percent were bilingual.

2007: Ethanol production plant idle

In 2007, Jamaica had facilities to refine hydrous ethanol into anhydrous ethanol. However, the process appeared to be uneconomic, and the production plant was idle.

2007: Cricket World Cup venue

In 2007, Jamaica was one of the venues for the Cricket World Cup.

2007: JLP victory; Bruce Golding becomes Prime Minister

In 2007, the PNP was defeated by the JLP by a narrow margin of 32 seats to 28, and Bruce Golding became the new prime minister.

2007: Portia Simpson-Miller as Prime Minister

Portia Simpson-Miller served as Prime Minister from 2005–2007.

2008: Jamaica won gold medal in the men's 4 × 100 m

In the 2008 Olympic Games, Jamaica won the gold medal in the men's 4 × 100 m.

2009: LIME launches 3G network

In 2009, LIME launched its 3G network.

2009: Marlon James published The Book of Night Women

In 2009, Marlon James published the novel "The Book of Night Women".

2009: Patrick Allen becomes Governor-General

In 2009, Patrick Allen became the Governor-General of Jamaica.

2009: Planned alumina production expansion

Through 2009, continued expansion of alumina production was planned by Alcoa.

2010: Digicel entered the broadband market

In 2010, Digicel entered the broadband market by offering WiMAX broadband.

2010: Attempt to arrest Christopher Coke

In 2010, an attempt by Jamaican police and military to arrest drug lord Christopher Coke erupted in violence.

April 2011: Resumption of passenger rail service

On 13 April 2011, a limited passenger service was resumed between May Pen, Spanish Town and Linstead.

2011: Justin Masterson highest paid Jamaican athlete

According to ESPN, in 2011, Justin Masterson, a baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, was the highest paid Jamaican professional athlete.

2011: Adherents to Rastafari Movement

According to the 2011 census, the Rastafari movement has 29,026 adherents, with 25,325 Rastafarian males and 3,701 Rastafarian females.

2011: Breakdown of responses to the 2011 census

Breakdown of responses to the 2011 census by the University of the West Indies.

2011: LIME's FTTH deployment

In 2011, LIME deployed FTTH (Fibre to the Home) in selected communities.

2011: Claro Jamaica merged with Digicel Jamaica

In 2011, Oceanic (Claro Jamaica) merged with Digicel Jamaica.

2011: Andrew Holness replaces Golding

In 2011, as a result of the Christopher Coke incident Golding resigned and was replaced by Andrew Holness.

2011: PNP return to power; Portia Simpson-Miller returns

In the 2011 Jamaican general election, Portia Simpson-Miller and the PNP returned to power, with a landslide 42 seats to the JLP's 21.

2014: Digicel introduced Digicel Play

In 2014, Digicel introduced a new broadband service called Digicel Play.

2014: Marlon James published A Brief History of Seven Killings

In 2014, Marlon James published the novel "A Brief History of Seven Killings".

2014: Cable and Wireless acquired LIME

In late 2014, Cable and Wireless Communications acquired LIME and rebranded it as FLOW.

2015: Formal instruction in Patois introduced

Around 2015, the Jamaican education system began to offer formal instruction in Patois while retaining JSE as the "official language of instruction".

2015: Increased immigration to Jamaica

By 2015, immigration to Jamaica had increased, mainly from China, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, and Latin America; 20,000 Latin Americans lived in Jamaica.

2015: A Brief History of Seven Killings won the Man Booker Prize

In 2015, Marlon James's "A Brief History of Seven Killings" won the Man Booker Prize.

January 2016: Approval for another mobile operator licence

In January 2016, the Office and Utilities Regulations (OUR), Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM) and the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) gave approval for another mobile operator licence.

March 2016: Andrew Holness becomes Prime Minister

In March 2016, Andrew Holness became the Prime Minister of Jamaica.

May 2016: New carrier named Caricel

On 20 May 2016, the Jamaican Government named Symbiote Investments Limited, operating under the name Caricel, as the new mobile carrier.

2016: Elaine Thompson double Olympic champion

In 2016, Elaine Thompson was the double Olympic champion from Rio in the 100 m and 200 m.

2016: JLP win general election

In 2016, Holness's JLP won the general election narrowly, defeating Simpson-Miller's PNP, on 25 February.

2016: Suggestion to make Spanish Jamaica's second official language

In 2016, Prime Minister Andrew Holness suggested making Spanish Jamaica's second official language.

September 2017: Increase in stopover visitors

In September 2017, Jamaica recorded a 41% increase in stopover arrivals from January to September 2017 over the same period from the previous year.

2017: Signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In 2017, Jamaica signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

July 2018: Population Estimate

In July 2018, the estimated population of Jamaica was 2,812,000, primarily of African or partially African descent.

November 2018: Jamaica qualified for the Rugby League World Cup

In November 2018, the Jamaican rugby league team qualified for the Rugby League World Cup for the first time.

2018: Increase in agricultural production

In 2018, Jamaica reported a 7.9% increase in corn, 6.1% increase in plantains, 10.4% increase in bananas, 2.2% increase in pineapples, 13.3% increase in dasheen, 24.9% increase in coconuts, and a 10.6% increase in whole milk production.

2018: Jamaica Represents CARICOM at International Meetings

In 2018, Jamaica represented the CARICOM Caribbean Community at the G20 and the G7 annual meetings.

2018: Jamaica wins several World Travel Awards

In 2018, Jamaica won several World Travel Awards in Portugal including "Chairman's Award for Global Tourism Innovation", "Best Tourist Board in the Caribbean" "Best Honeymoon Destination", "Best Culinary Destination", "World's Leading Beach Destination" and "World's Leading Cruise Destination".

2019: Jamaica Reports Lowest Unemployment Rate

In 2019 Jamaica reported its lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.

2020: Jamaica Labour Party wins

After its 2020 victory, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has the current administrative and legislative power.

2020: Holness secures second consecutive win for JLP

In the 2020 general election, Andrew Holness secured a second consecutive win for the Jamaica Labour Party, winning 49 seats to 14 won by the PNP, led this time by Peter Phillips.

2021: Jamaica played in the Rugby League World Cup

In 2021 Jamaica will play in the Rugby League World Cup in England.

September 2024: Soldiers and police officers are scheduled to arrive in Haiti

In September 2024 the AP reported that "20 soldiers and four police officers are scheduled to arrive in Haiti to support the UN-Kenya lead mission and they would provide command, planning and logistics support."

2024: Government commitment to small modular reactors

In 2024, the Government committed to adding small modular reactors (SMR) to the country's energy mix, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to promote the adoption of nuclear power in Jamaica.