Caribbean History Timeline
A Journey Beyond Sun, Sand, and Sea
The Caribbean History Timeline is created and curated by Ursula Petula Barzey, Founder of Caribbean & Co. It is an evolving project, with new entries researched and added regularly, offering an inclusive exploration of the region’s rich and multifaceted past. Organized around 20 subject areas, the timeline brings together stories, people, and milestones from 34 Caribbean islands and countries, alongside selected entries from Africa and Europe that provide essential historical context. From Indigenous societies and migrations before European colonization to the present day, it traces the history of the Caribbean through the cultural, political, and social developments, movements, and turning points that have shaped the region.
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- Notable Figures
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- Region
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Slavery
- Spain
- Tourism
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- Trinidad & Tobago
- Turks & Caicos
- United Kingdom
- US Virgin Islands
Date: March 31 to April 3, 2011
Location: Bridgetown, Barbados
Category: Art & Museums
Anderson Pilgrim, along with Dr. Gloria Gordon and Dr. Loris Crawford, launched the inaugural Caribbean Fine Art Fair (CaFA Fair) in Bridgetown, Barbados, from March 31 to April 3, 2011. This first fair aimed to showcase the undervalued art created by Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora artists. The event featured works from various Caribbean nations, providing a platform for local and regional artists to connect with international collectors. Since its inception, CaFA Fair has grown significantly, celebrating its 14th edition in 2024 with over 50 participating artists representing 16 Caribbean nations, as well as artists from Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Let me know if you need any further adjustments!
Date: September 2013
Location: Caribbean Region
Category: Slavery
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) established the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) in September 2013. Chaired by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the commission’s mandate is to prepare a case for reparatory justice for indigenous and African descendant communities. This initiative emerged from a growing movement among CARICOM member states advocating for reparations, culminating in a Ten Point Action Plan endorsed by Heads of Government in March 2014. The plan outlines specific actions for reparations, sparking significant dialogue across the region, though opinions vary on its potential effectiveness and impact.
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Date: March 11, 2014
Location: Caribbean Region
Category: Slavery
CARICOM Heads of Government unanimously approved the Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice on March 11, 2014, following its development by the CARICOM Reparations Commission, chaired by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. The commission’s goal is to address the historical injustices of slavery and colonialism throughout the Caribbean. The Ten Point Plan calls for:
- Getting a formal apology from former colonial powers.
- The establishment of a reparatory justice fund.
- Funding for cultural institutions and initiatives.
- Public education on the impacts of slavery and colonialism.
- Psychological rehabilitation for affected communities.
- The promotion of cultural restoration and heritage.
- Initiatives to address health disparities in descendant communities.
- Economic development programs targeting marginalized groups.
- Legal reform to support reparatory justice claims.
- The establishment of a regional reparations commission.
This landmark decision marked a significant step toward reparative justice in the Caribbean, generating both support and skepticism among various groups regarding its potential impact and implementation.
Date: 2015
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Category: Slavery
A 2018 tweet (later deleted due to public backlash) from the UK Treasury revealed that the British government only finished paying off the loan used to compensate slave owners after the abolition of slavery in 1833 in 2015. The original £20 million loan, which is worth about £2.4 billion today, was used to pay more than 40,000 slave owners for the loss of their “property” when slavery ended in the British Empire. This debt, amounting to 40% of the government’s annual budget at the time, took nearly two centuries to repay because of the use of undated government bonds called gilts. The Slavery Abolition Act freed over 800,000 enslaved people in British colonies, but none of the compensation went to the freed individuals themselves. The revelation that modern British taxpayers, including descendants of enslaved Africans, had contributed to these payments sparked controversy and renewed debate about the legacy of slavery in the United Kingdom.
Date: October 10, 2017
Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Category: Slavery
The University of the West Indies (UWI) launched the Centre for Reparations Research (CRR) on October 10, 2017, at its Mona campus in Jamaica. This initiative arose from a 2013 mandate from CARICOM Heads of Government, which also established the CARICOM Reparations Commission. The CRR aims to promote research on the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and native genocide while advocating for reparative justice. Key figures involved include Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Verene Shepherd, the CRR’s director. The center has sparked discussions on reparations, garnering support from various groups while facing skepticism about its impact and funding.
Date: 2021
Location: Caribbean Region
Category: Slavery
The Repair Campaign was launched in 2021 to advocate for reparatory justice in the Caribbean. Founded by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien, the campaign aims to pressure former colonial powers to commit to a long-term reparatory fund. It provides financing to help 15 Caribbean countries develop Socioeconomic Reparatory Plans, outlining how they would utilize reparations. This initiative follows decades of advocacy for reparations, notably influenced by the CARICOM Reparations Commission’s Ten Point Plan. Reactions have varied; while many support the campaign as a vital step toward justice, some remain skeptical about its potential effectiveness.
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