Timeline of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Chronology

9 events spanning the history of Saint Kitts and Nevis. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1493

   Christopher Columbus lands on the islands and names St Kitts after his patron saint, Christopher.

   Christopher Columbus lands on the islands and names St Kitts after his patron saint, Christopher.

2. 1623

   The British establish their first Caribbean colony on St Kitts.

   The British establish their first Caribbean colony on St Kitts.

3. 1783

   France relinquishes claims on St Kitts in the Treaty of Versailles.

   France relinquishes claims on St Kitts in the Treaty of Versailles.

4. 1871

   St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla united as a British dependency.

   St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla united as a British dependency.

5. 1967

   Becomes an internally self-governing member of the West Indies Associated States.

   St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla become an internally self-governing member of the West Indies Associated States with Labor Party leader Robert Bradshaw as prime minister.

6. 1983

   St Kitts and Nevis jointly attain independence within the British Commonwealth.

   St Kitts and Nevis jointly attain independence within the British Commonwealth with Kennedy Simmonds as prime minister.

7. 1993

   Anti-government demonstrations take place following an inconclusive general election.

   Anti-government demonstrations take place following an inconclusive general election.

8. 1997

   Nevis legislators authorize a referendum.

   Nevis legislators authorize a referendum on the issue of whether the island should secede from St Kitts.

9. 1998

   Referendum on Nevis independence fails.

   Referendum on Nevis independence fails to achieve the two-thirds majority required for the island to secede.