History of Turks and Caicos Islands in Timeline

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the Lucayan Archipelago, recognized for tourism and offshore finance. They consist of the Caicos Islands and Turks Islands. The population is estimated between approximately 47,000 and 59,000. They are located in the Atlantic Ocean and northern West Indies.

1900: Mobile Phone Service

Digicel uses GSM 900 and 1900 to provide mobile phone service.

1917: Proposal to Join Canada Rejected

In 1917, a suggestion by Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden for the Turks and Caicos Islands to join Canada was rejected by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

1950: US Missile Tracking Station

From 1950, the United States had a missile tracking station on Grand Turk.

July 1959: Designation as a Separate Colony

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

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's Landing

In 1962, after his three earth orbits, American astronaut John Glenn successfully landed in the nearby ocean 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

In 1973, the Turks and Caicos received their own governor as 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: Canada Association Proposed

In 1974, Max Saltsman proposed that Canada form an association with the Turks and Caicos Islands; however, it was never submitted to a vote.

August 1976: First Chief Minister

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

1980: Anti-Independence Party Elected

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

1981: British Nationality Act

The British Nationality Act 1981 originally defined British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC).

1981: US Missile Tracking Station

Until 1981, the United States had a missile tracking station on Grand Turk.

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: Suspension of Local Government

In 1986, local government was suspended due to allegations of government involvement with drug trafficking.

1988: Local Government Remains Suspended

In 1988, local government remains suspended after allegations of government involvement with drug trafficking.

September 1993: Primary School Libraries

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, Turks and Caicos received economic aid worth $5.7 million.

1998: Radio Stations

In 1998, there were three AM radio stations (one inactive) and six FM stations in Turks and Caicos.

2000: Export of Fish and Conch

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

2000: Population Growth Rate

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

2001: Student-Teacher Ratio

In 2001, the student-teacher ratio at the primary level was roughly 15:1.

2001: Census Population

The 2001 census reported a population of 19,886 for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

2002: Channel 4 News Introduced

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

2002: 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: British Overseas Territory Redesignation

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

2003: PNP Replaced Derek Hugh Taylor

In the 2003 elections, the PNP replaced Derek Hugh Taylor's government.

2003: Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival

Since 2003, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board have organised and hosted an annual series of concerts during this season called the Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival.

2004: Discovery of "Black Rock Ship"

In 2004, marine archaeologists discovered a wreck, called the "Black Rock Ship", that subsequent research has suggested might be that of the Trouvadore.

2005: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Marriage

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

2006: New Constitution

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

2006: Labour Force Distribution

In 2006, the labour force distribution in Turks and Caicos was recorded.

July 2007: Eva Longoria Honeymoon

In July 2007, actress Eva Longoria and her ex-husband Tony Parker went to Turks and Caicos for their honeymoon.

November 2007: Channel 4 Re-launched as WIV4

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

2007: Imports Total

In 2007, imports to the islands totalled $581 million, primarily from the United States and the United Kingdom, including food, beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufacture and construction materials.

2007: Government Revenues

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

November 2008: Confirmation of Trouvadore Link

In November 2008, a cooperative marine archaeology expedition confirmed that the wreck has artifacts whose style and date of manufacture link them to the Trouvadore.

2008: Highest FIFA Ranking

In 2008, the football team achieved its highest ever ranking of 158th in the FIFA World Rankings.

2008: Labour Force Total

In 2008, the labour force in Turks and Caicos totalled 27,595 workers.

2008: Twenty20 Match

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

2008: Unemployment Rate

In 2008, the unemployment rate in Turks and Caicos was 8.3%.

2009: Gross Domestic Product

As of late 2009, the territory's gross domestic product was approximately US$795 million, with a per capita of $24,273.

2009: Tourist Arrivals

By 2009, tourist arrivals in Turks and Caicos had risen to 351,498.

2009: GDP Contributions

In 2009, Hotels & Restaurants contributed 34.67% to the GDP, Financial Services contributed 13.12%, Construction contributed 7.83%, Transport, Storage & Communication contributed 9.90%, and Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities contributed 9.56%.

2009: Direct Rule by the United Kingdom

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

2010: Cruise Ship Arrivals

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

2010: Government Revenue Sources

In 2010, major sources of government revenue included Import Duties, Stamp Duty on Land Transaction, Work Permits and Residency Fees, and Accommodation Tax.

2010: National Health Insurance Plan Established

In 2010, the Turks and Caicos established a National Health Insurance Plan, funded by salary deductions and user fees. Hospitals also opened in 2010, managed by Interhealth Canada through a private-public partnership.

2010: Federation Discussions

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

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: Preliminary Census Results

Preliminary results of the census of 25 January 2012 estimated the total population to be 31,458 inhabitants.

August 2012: Census Results Release

On 12 August 2012, the preliminary results of the census of 25 January 2012 were released, estimating a total population of 31,458 inhabitants.

October 2012: New Constitution

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

November 2012: Return to Local Administration

In November 2012, the government was returned to full local administration after elections, and Rufus Ewing was elected premier.

2012: Census Data

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

2012: Hospitals Accredited by Accreditation Canada

In 2012, the hospitals in Turks and Caicos were accredited by Accreditation Canada.

2013: 4NEWS Became High-Definition Cable News Service

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

2014: International School Status

In 2014, the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands had 106 students and was known as The Ashcroft School until 2014.

2016: PDM in Power

In the 2016 elections, the PNP lost, and the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) came to power with Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson as Premier.

December 2019: Defence Regiment Build

In early December 2019, Governor Nigel Dakin announced that the Turks and Caicos will build its own defence regiment, with the assistance of the UK's Ministry of Defence.

April 2020: Chief Justice

As of April 2020, the Chief Justice is Justice Mabel Agyemang.

June 2020: Regiment Commanding Officer Appointed

In early June 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Grant was appointed as the commanding officer of the new Turks and Caicos Regiment.

December 2020: FIFA World Ranking

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

2020: UK Assistance Team

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

2020: Regiment Operational Projection

It is projected that the Turk and Caicos Regiment will go operational sometime within the third quarter of 2020.

July 2021: Population Estimate

July 2021 estimates put the population at 57,196.

2021: PNP Returns to Power

After winning the 2021 general elections, the PNP returned to power and Washington Misick became Premier.

2021: Immigration Law Amended

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

2021: Progressive National Party Win

In the 2021 elections the Progressive National Party won in a landslide and Washington Misick became Premier.

2022: Population Estimate

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

2022: RFA Tideforce Deployment

In the autumn of 2022, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Tideforce was deployed to the islands to provide surveillance support due to rising gang violence.