Timeline of Cayman Islands

Chronology

8 events spanning the history of Cayman Islands. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1503

   Navigator Christopher Columbus sights the islands.

   Navigator Christopher Columbus sights the islands.

2. 1670

   Spain cedes the islands.

   Spain cedes the islands, along with Jamaica, to the English under the terms of the Treaty of Madrid.

3. 1700

   First permanent settlers arrive.

   First permanent settlers arrive.

4. 1794

   Legendary “Wreck of the Ten Sails”.

   Legendary “Wreck of the Ten Sails”: A ship hits a reef off Grand Cayman, closely followed by its convoy of nine vessels.

5. 1863

   Caymans become a Jamaican dependency, administered by an appointed commissioner.

   Caymans become a Jamaican dependency, administered by an appointed commissioner.

6. 1962

   Federation of the West Indies dissolves.

   Federation of the West Indies dissolves. Jamaica declares independence. Caymans stay under British rule; a separate administrator is appointed.

7. 2002

   British Overseas Territories Act grants British citizenship to all Caymanians.

   British Overseas Territories Act grants British citizenship to all Caymanians.

8. 2004

   Hurricane Ivan.

   Hurricane Ivan, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, causes widespread destruction on Grand Cayman.