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Ca. 300
A
.
D
.
First Amerindian settlement in the Bahamas may have occurred.
9th-10th century
The Lucayan tribe of Arawaks settle in the Bahamas.
1492
Columbus lands on San Salvador.
1648
English Puritans from Bermuda form colony on Eleuthera Island.
1650
The golden age of piracy begins.
1670
Britain claims the Bahamas.
1718
Woodes Rogers takes office as the first British royal governor of
the Bahamas and begins campaign to drive out the pirates.
1782
Spain briefly recaptures the Bahamas.
1783
The Treaty of Versailles gives back British control of the Bahamas.
1861
Bahamians prosper as they aid Confederate troops during the
American Civil War.
1920s
The Bahamas becomes an important—although illegal— supplier
of rum during the U.S. Prohibition years.
World War II
The Bahamas islands are used as an important air and sea way
station.
1964
Britain grants self-government to the Bahamas.
1969
Britain changes status of Bahamas from colony to commonwealth.
1973
The Bahamas become independent within the Commonwealth of
Nations, but retain Queen Elizabeth II as their constitutional head
of state.
58
Chronology