Sighted, and named, by Columbus in 1498, Grenada was a French colony from 1650. Captured by the British in 1762, it formally became a part of the British Empire in 1783.

• 1885–1958 Grenada acts as administrative center for the Windward Islands.
• 1950 Eric Gairy founds Grenada United Labour Party.
• 1951 Universal suffrage introduced.
• 1967 Internal self-government.
• 1974 Full independence. Gairy prime minister.
• 1979 Coup. Maurice Bishop prime minister. Growing links with Cuba.
• 1983 After improving ties with US, Bishop is ousted and executed by former allies. US invasion establishes pro-US administration.
• 1995 Keith Mitchell of NNP becomes prime minister.
• 1999 NNP reelected, taking all 15 seats in House of Representatives.
• 2001–2002 Blacklisted as tax haven.
• 2002 Full diplomatic ties with Cuba restored.
• 2003 NNP reelected.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004