Timeline of Saint Lucia

Chronology

11 events spanning the history of Saint Lucia. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1501

   St Lucia sighted by Christopher Columbus.

   St Lucia sighted by Christopher Columbus.

2. 1635

   The French establish a colony on St Lucia.

   The French establish a colony on St Lucia.

3. 1660

   The French sign a treaty with the indigenous Carib people.

   The French sign a treaty with the indigenous Carib people.

4. 1814

   France cedes St Lucia to Britain following the Treaty of Paris.

   France cedes St Lucia to Britain following the Treaty of Paris. Britain proclaims the island a crown colony and brings in African slaves to work on the sugar cane plantations.

5. 1834

   Slavery abolished.

   Slavery abolished.

6. 1951

   St Lucia granted universal adult suffrage.

   St Lucia granted universal adult suffrage.

7. 1958 – 1962

   St Lucia granted universal adult suffrage.

   St Lucia a member of the Federation of the West Indies.

8. 1964

   St Lucia ceases sugar cane production.

   St Lucia ceases sugar cane production.

9. 1969

   St Lucia becomes independent .

   St Lucia becomes independent with John Compton, leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) as prime minister.

10. 1993

    Fall in the price of bananas leads to unrest and strikes by farmers and agricultural workers.

    Fall in the price of bananas leads to unrest and strikes by farmers and agricultural workers.