History São Tomé and Príncipe

 Historical dates

1470: Portuguese navigators discover the island and take possession of it.

End XVc: The settlers bring in some slaves from the African continent to work on the sugar cane plantations.

1574: The latter rebel against the settlers and destroy the plantations.

1876: Abolition of slavery (but the practise of paid hard labour will go on for another few years).

1951: Sao Tome and Principe becomes a Portuguese Overseas province.

1975: Independence of São Tomé and Príncipe.
The secretary of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe (MLSTP), Manuel Pinto da Costa, becomes President.

1990: a new constitution establishes multipartism.

1991: the opposition wins the legislative election. Miguel Trovoada, an old Prime Minister in exile since 1986 is elected President.

1995: the island of Principe proclaims its autonomy.

1996: Miguel Trovoada is re-elected President of the Republic.

September 2001: Fradique De Menezes is elected President.

September 2004: A new government, led by Damiao Vaz d'Almeida, is appointed by presidential decree.