Britain seized Trinidad from Spain in 1797 and Tobago from France in 1802. They were unified in 1888. - 1956 Eric Williams founds PNM and wins general election, mainly with support from blacks.
- 1958–1961 Member of West Indian Federation.
- 1962 Independence.
- 1970 Black Power demonstrations.
- 1980 Tobago gets own House of Assembly; internal autonomy 1987.
- 1990–1991 Premier taken hostage in failed fundamentalist coup. PNM returned to power.
- 1995 UNC's Basdeo Panday is first ethnic Asian prime minister.
- 1998–1999 Trinidad withdraws from international human rights bodies over death sentences.
- 2001 Elections result in tie.
- 2002 PNM wins fresh elections.
From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004 | 
