History British Virgin Islands

 Historical dates

About 100 years before Jesus Christ, the Arawaks, Indians from South America, settled on the archipelago.
Around the mid-15th century, they are joined and chased away by the Caribbean Indians.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovers the archipelago and gives it the name of the Virgin Islands.
In 1648, The Dutch take control of the archipelago.
In 1666, the Virgin Islands are given back to the British.
In 1774, the archipelago's first Constitution is created.
In 1834, slavery is abolished.
From 1871 to 1956, the islands are part of the Under-the-Wind Island Federation.
In 1956, the archipelago becomes a British colony.
In 1967, the archipelago has a new Constitution and becomes autonomous.
In 1977, the Constitution is amended, but the British Virgin Island keeps the status of colony.
For a couple of years now, there has been discussion about uniting the archipelago to the US Virgin Islands.