History of Turks and Caicos Islands in Timeline

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the Lucayan Archipelago, known for tourism and offshore finance. They consist of the Caicos Islands and the Turks Islands. The population is estimated between approximately 47,720 and 59,367. They are the third-largest British overseas territory by population.

1900: GSM Mobile Phone Service

The Digicel network uses GSM 900 and 1900.

1917: Canadian Confederation Suggestion

In 1917, Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden suggested that the Turks and Caicos join Canada, but this suggestion was rejected by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

1950: United States Missile Tracking Station

In 1950, the United States established a missile tracking station on Grand Turk.

July 1959: Designated as Separate Colony

On 4 July 1959, the islands were again designated as a separate colony, with the last commissioner being restyled as administrator and the governor of Jamaica continued as the governor of the islands.

August 1962: Crown Colony Status

In August 1962, when Jamaica was granted independence from Britain, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a Crown colony.

1962: John Glenn Lands Near Grand Turk

In 1962, American astronaut John Glenn successfully landed in the nearby ocean after his three earth orbits and was brought back ashore to Grand Turk.

1965: Governor of Bahamas Oversaw Affairs

Beginning in 1965, the governor of the Bahamas was also governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands and oversaw affairs for the islands.

1973: Own Governor Received

In 1973, the Turks and Caicos received their own governor when the Bahamas gained independence.

1973: Bahamas Independence and New Governor

In 1973, when the Bahamas gained independence, the Turks and Caicos Islands received their own governor and have remained an autonomous territory since.

1974: Proposed Association with Canada

In 1974, Canadian MP Max Saltsman proposed that Canada form an association with the Turks and Caicos Islands via bill C-249, "An Act Respecting a Proposed Association Between Canada and the Caribbean Turks and Caicos Islands", though it was never voted on.

August 1976: First Constitution Adopted

On 30 August 1976, with the election of the territory's first Chief Minister, J. A. G. S. McCartney, the Turks and Caicos Islands first adopted a constitution.

August 1976: Own Government Headed by Chief Minister

Since August 1976, the Turks and Caicos Islands have had their own government headed by a chief minister, with J. A. G. S. McCartney as the first.

1980: Anti-Independence Party Elected

In 1980, moves towards independence were stalled by the election of an anti-independence party.

1981: British Nationality Act

In 1981, the British Nationality Act originally defined British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC) as British Dependent Territories citizenship.

1981: Missile Tracking Station End Date

The US missile tracking station on Grand Turk operated until 1981.

1984: Mission Sui Iuris Erected

In 1984, the Mission Sui Iuris for Turks and Caicos was erected, with territory taken from the then Diocese of Nassau.

1986: Local Government Suspended

In 1986, local government in the Turks and Caicos Islands was suspended.

1988: Local Government Restored

In 1988, local government in the Turks and Caicos Islands was restored.

September 1993: Books Given to Schools

In September 1993, each primary school in the Turks and Caicos was given enough books to allow teachers to establish in-class libraries.

1995: Economic Aid Received

In 1995, the island received economic aid worth $5.7 million.

1998: Radio Stations

In 1998, there were three AM radio stations (one inactive) and six FM stations (no shortwave).

2000: Population Growth Rate

In 2000 the population was growing at a rate of 3.55% per year.

2000: Export of Fish and Conch

In 2000, approximately $169.2 million of lobster, dried and fresh conch, and conch shells were exported, primarily to the United Kingdom and the United States.

2001: Census

In 2001, the census reported the population to be 19,886.

2001: Student-Teacher Ratio

In 2001, the student-teacher ratio at the primary level in the Turks and Caicos Islands was roughly 15:1.

2002: WIV Introduced Channel 4 News

In 2002, WIV introduced Channel 4 News, broadcasting local news and infotainment programs across the country.

2002: Full British Citizenship Restored

In 2002, the British Overseas Territories Act restored full British citizenship status to all citizens of British Overseas Territories, including the Turks and Caicos.

2002: Re-designated British Overseas Territory

In 2002, the Turks and Caicos Islands were re-designated a British Overseas Territory, with islanders gaining full British citizenship.

2003: PNP Replaced Derek Hugh Taylor's Government

In 2003, the PNP replaced Derek Hugh Taylor's government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2003: Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival Inauguration

Since 2003, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board has organized and hosted an annual series of concerts called the Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival.

2004: Discovery of "Black Rock Ship"

In 2004, marine archaeologists affiliated with the Turks and Caicos National Museum discovered a wreck, called the "Black Rock Ship", that subsequent research suggested might be that of the Trouvadore slave ship.

2005: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Wedding

In 2005, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married on Parrot Cay.

2006: New Constitution Promulgated

In 2006, a new constitution was promulgated in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2006: Labour Force Distribution

In 2006, the labour force distribution was recorded.

July 2007: Eva Longoria Honeymoon

In July 2007, actress Eva Longoria and her ex-husband Tony Parker visited the islands for their honeymoon.

November 2007: Channel 4 Re-launched as WIV4

In November 2007, Channel 4 was re-launched as WIV4.

2007: Total Imports

In 2007, imports to the islands totaled $581 million, primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom.

2007: Government Revenues and Expenditures

In 2007, the territory took in revenues of $206.79 million against expenditures of $235.85 million.

2007: Tourist Arrivals Increase

In 2007, tourist arrivals had risen to 264,887.

November 2008: Trouvadore Wreck Artifacts Confirmed

In November 2008, a marine archaeology expedition confirmed that the wreck discovered had artifacts whose style and date of manufacture linked them to the Trouvadore slave ship.

2008: Highest Ever Ranking

In 2008, the football team's highest ever ranking was 158th.

2008: Labour Force Total

In 2008, the labor force in Turks and Caicos totaled 27,595 workers.

2008: Twenty20 Cricket Match

In 2008, the national team played one Twenty20 cricket match as part of the 2008 Standford 20/20.

2008: Unemployment Rate

In 2008, the unemployment rate was 8.3%.

2009: Tourist Arrivals Increase

By 2009, tourist arrivals had risen to 351,498.

2009: UK Took Over Direct Control

In 2009, Premier Michael Misick resigned due to corruption charges, and the United Kingdom took over direct control of the government in the Turks and Caicos.

2009: GDP Contributions Breakdown

In 2009, the GDP contributions were: Hotels & Restaurants (34.67%), Financial Services (13.12%), Construction (7.83%), Transport, Storage & Communication (9.90%), and Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities (9.56%).

2009: GDP of Turks and Caicos

In late 2009, the territory's gross domestic product was approximately US$795 million (per capita $24,273).

2010: Cruise Ship Arrivals and Visitors

In 2010, a total of 245 cruise ships arrived at the Grand Turk Cruise Terminal, carrying a total of 617,863 visitors.

2010: Federation Possibility Discussed

In 2010, leaders of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands discussed the possibility of forming a federation.

2010: Government Revenue Sources

In 2010, major sources of government revenue included Import Duties (43.31%), Stamp Duty on Land Transaction (8.82%), Work Permits and Residency Fees (10.03%), and Accommodation Tax (24.95%).

2010: Establishment of National Health Insurance Plan

In 2010, the Turks and Caicos Islands established a National Health Insurance Plan, with residents contributing through salary deductions and user fees.

2011: Government Revenue Sources

In 2011, major sources of government revenue included Import Duties, Stamp Duty on Land Transaction, Work Permits and Residency Fees, and Accommodation Tax.

January 2012: Census Results

Preliminary results from the census of 25 January 2012 (released on 12 August 2012) estimated the total population to be 31,458 inhabitants.

August 2012: Census Results Released

The preliminary results from the census of January 2012 were released on 12 August 2012 and estimated the total population to be 31,458 inhabitants.

October 2012: New Constitution Promulgated

In October 2012, a new constitution was promulgated in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

November 2012: Local Administration Returned

In November 2012, the government was returned to full local administration after the elections. Rufus Ewing of the PNP was elected as the new premier.

2012: Caicos Archipelago Census

In 2012, Middle Caicos had a population of 168, Providenciales had 23,769 inhabitants, North Caicos had 1,312 inhabitants, South Caicos had 1,139 inhabitants, and Parrot Cay had 131 inhabitants.

2012: Accreditation of Hospitals by Accreditation Canada

In 2012, the hospitals managed by Interhealth Canada in Providenciales and Grand Turk received accreditation from Accreditation Canada.

2012: Census Population

The 2012 census population of the two main Turks Islands was 4,939.

2013: 4NEWS became the islands' first high-definition cable news service

In 2013, 4NEWS became the islands' first high-definition cable news service with television studios in Grace Bay, Providenciales. DigicelPlay is the local cable provider.

2014: Name Change of The Ashcroft School

In 2014, The Ashcroft School, a private school in Leeward, Providenciales, serving preschool through grade six, changed its name to the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2016: PDM Came to Power

In the 2016 elections, the PNP lost for the first time since they replaced Derek Hugh Taylor's government in 2003. The People's Democratic Movement (PDM) came to power with Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson as Premier.

December 2019: Formation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment

In December 2019, Governor Nigel Dakin announced the formation of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, with assistance from the UK's Ministry of Defence.

April 2020: Chief Justice Appointed

As of April 2020, Justice Mabel Agyemang is the Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

December 2020: FIFA World Rankings for Football Team

As of December 2020, the Turks and Caicos Islands' football team is ranked 203rd out of 210 teams in the FIFA World Rankings.

2020: Security and Assistance Team Arrived

In Spring 2020, a Security and Assistance Team from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence arrived in Turks and Caicos to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and to help build the new Turks and Caicos Regiment. The regiment also became operational in 2020.

July 2021: Population Estimates

In July 2021, the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands was estimated at 57,196.

2021: Immigration Law Amended

In 2021, the Turks and Caicos government amended its immigration law regarding the granting of Belonger Status.

2021: PNP Landslide Victory

In the 2021 elections, the Progressive National Party won in a landslide, and Washington Misick became Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2021: PNP Returned to Power

In the 2021 general elections, the PNP returned to power, and Washington Misick became Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2022: RFA Tideforce Deployed

In 2022, in response to a surge in gang-related violence, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary deployed RFA Tideforce to the Turks and Caicos Islands. RFA Tideforce was equipped with a Wildcat helicopter and provided surveillance support to local law enforcement agencies.

2022: Population Estimate by Department of Statistics

In 2022, the Department of Statistics estimated the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands to be 47,720.

2023: Population Estimate

In 2023, the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands was estimated by The World Factbook to be 59,367.

November 2024: Highest Murder Rate Worldwide

As of November 2024, the Turks and Caicos Islands had the highest murder rate of countries worldwide.

November 2024: HMS Medway Visit

In November 2024, HMS Medway visited the Turks and Caicos Islands, conducting disaster response exercises and engaging with local authorities.

2024: Tourists Arrested for Ammunition Possession

In 2024, several American tourists were arrested for being in possession of small arms ammunition, each facing 12 year mandatory prison terms.

2024: Joint Disaster Response Drills

In 2024, the Turks and Caicos Regiment participated in joint disaster response drills with HMS Medway during its visit.

March 2025: U.S. State Department Travel Advisory

On 6 March 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory, warning travelers to be cautious when visiting due to crime.

2025: Starship Flight Test Explosion

In 2025, Starship flight test 7 exploded above the islands, resulting in several airline flights needing to alter course to avoid falling debris, as well as reports of damage on the ground.