The Mayan heartland included what is now Belize. Between 1798 and 1981 it was effectively a British colony. - 1919 Demands for more political rights by black Belizeans returning from World War I.
- 1936 New constitution.
- 1950 PUP formed. Voting age limit for women reduced from 30 to 21.
- 1954 Full adult suffrage.
- 1972 Guatemala threatens invasion. Britain sends troops.
- 1981 Full independence.
- 2000 Guatemala revives claim to half of Belize.
- 2001 Hurricane Iris hits Belize.
- 2003 PUP wins second term.
From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004 | 
