Timeline of British Virgin Islands

Chronology

7 events spanning the history of British Virgin Islands. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1555

   The Spanish claimed the Islands.

   The Spanish claimed the Islands.

2. 1648

   The Dutch established a permanent settlement on Tortola.

   The Dutch established a permanent settlement on Tortola.

3. 1672

   The English ousted the Dutch from Tortola and the islands became a British colony.

   The English ousted the Dutch from Tortola and the islands became a British colony.Quakers established settlements and plantations on the Islands.

4. 1872

   The islands became part of the Leeward Islands.

   The islands became part of the Leeward Islands.

5. 1917

   The United States of America purchased the adjacent Danish West Indies (US Virgin Islands).

   The United States of America purchased the adjacent Danish West Indies (US Virgin Islands).

6. 1956

   The British Virgin Islands became a separately administered entity.

   The British Virgin Islands became a separately administered entity.

7. 1960

   The flag of the British Virgin Islands was adopted.

   The flag of the British Virgin Islands was adopted.