| Bermuda Timeline |
| A
chronology of key historical events from 1503 to the present
day |
| Circa 1503 |
Spanish sea captain Juan de Bermudez sights the islands. |
| 1609 |
Shipwrecked on his way to Virginia, English explorer Sir George Somers settles. In his honour Bermuda is renamed as the Somers Islands, although the name doesn't stick. |
| Early 1600s |
African and American Indian slaves are brought to the islands. By 1617 they outnumber white settlers. |
| 1684 |
Bermuda becomes an English crown colony. |
| 1834 |
Slavery is abolished in Bermuda and the rest of the British Empire. |
| 1883 |
W.H.T. Joell elected first black Member of Parliament |
| 1941 |
US establishes military bases on the islands. |
| 1946 |
Ban on private cars and motor vehicles lifted. Cars are restricted to one per family. |
| 1957 |
British army garrison, present since 1797, is withdrawn. |
| 1963 |
First elections to include political parties; newly established Progressive Labour Party (PLP) put forward nine candidates and wins six seats |
| NEW CONSTITUTION |
| 1968 |
New constitution introduced. British monarch is head of state, represented by a Governor and internal self-government is granted; the Governor takes responsibility for external affairs, defence, internal security and the police. |
| UBP ADMINISTRATION |
| 1968 May |
First general election under new constitution held amid growing racial and political tension. Pro-dependency United Bermuda Party (UBP) wins substantial victory. UBP returns to power in subsequent elections despite growing support for pro-independence Progressive Labour Party (PLP). Sir Henry Tuck becomes Government Leader. |
| 1971 Dec |
Sir Edward Trenton Richards became first black Premier |
| 1972 Jun |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 30 of 40 seats |
| 1973 |
Tensions rise, culminating in the assassination of Governor Richard Sharples. |
| 1975 Dec |
John Sharpe become Premier |
| 1976 May |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 25 of 36 seats |
| 1977 |
Riots and demonstrations for civil rights follow execution of Sharples' murderer. State of emergency is declared and British forces are sent to restore order. |
| 1977 Aug |
David Gibbons becomes Premier. |
| 1978 |
Royal Commission investigates causes of racial violence, recommends early independence. |
| 1980 Dec |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 22 of 40 seats |
| 1981 |
Human Rights Act introduced, prohibiting racial discrimination. |
| 1982 Jan |
John Swan becomes Premier. |
| 1983 Feb |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 26 of 40 seats |
| 1985 Oct |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 31 of 40 seats |
| 1989 Feb |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 23 of 40 seats |
| 1993 Oct |
UBP re-elected in General Election with 22 of 40 seats |
| 1995 |
Independence referendum: pro-independence Progressive Labour Party (PLP) encourages voters to boycott poll. Majority votes against independence. |
| 1995 Aug |
David Saul becomes Premier. |
| 1997 Mar |
Pamela Gordon becomes Premier. |
| PLP ADMINISTRATION |
| 1998 Nov |
Jennifer Smith elected as first PLP Premier. PLP wins 26 of 40 seats |
| 2002 May |
British Overseas Territories Act grants full British citizenship to Bermudians. |
| 2003 Jul |
PLP re-elected to second term in General Election with 22 of 36 seats |
| 2003 Jul |
Alex Scott becomes Premier. |
| 2003 Sep |
Hurricane Fabian, worst storm in 50 years, sweeps across Bermuda with winds of up to 125 mph. Royal Navy task force heads out to offer assistance. |
| 2004 Dec |
Anti-Terrorism Act passed, aiming to stop terrorists from using offshore finance industry. |
| 2006 Oct |
Ewart Brown becomes Premier following a leadership challenge within the ruling Progressive Labour Party. |
| 2007 Dec |
The PLP wins a third straight term in office with 22 of 36 seats. |
| 2008 Nov |
Britain says it is to conduct a review of the finance industry in Bermuda and other overseas territories. The Bermudian premier says the planned investigation is an insult to the territory.
|
| 2009 Jun |
Bermuda added to OECD's "white list" of countries complying with internationally agreed tax standards, after signing information exchange agreements with several countries. |
| 2009 Jun |
Premier Brown causes a stir by agreeing to take in four Chinese prisoners from the US prison in Guantanamo Bay. |
| 2010 Oct |
Premier Ewart Brown steps down; PLP elects Finance Minister Paula Cox to succeed him. |
| OBA ADMINISTRATION |
| 2012 Dec |
One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) wins general election with 19 of 36 seats, ending PLP's three straight terms in office. Craig Cannonier becomes Premier. |
| 2014 May |
Michael Dunkley becomes Premier. |
| PLP ADMINISTRATION |
| 2017 Jul |
PLP win General Elections. David Burt become Premier. |
