A Bit of History

The twin Island nation Of Antigua and Barbuda is known for their 365 white sandy Beaches. These islands were discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage. The island was named Santa Maria L'Antigua after his ship the Santa Maria. The earliest known settlers to these islands where the Sibony, Arawaks and Carib Indians. who were driven out by the Spanish and the French. In 1667 the British arrived on these shores to set up a colony after they defeated the French and the Spanish. Thus, the beginning of Slavery on these Islands. The Slaves were used to work the sugar plantations. Up until the early 1900's sugar was the main industry for these islands. In 1834 the British saw fit to abolish slavery after countless uprisings by the slaves. Yet, even though slavery was abolished the Blacks were still treated as second class citizen. It wasn't until the late 1940's which saw a man who was destined to save his people. He then went on and sought Associated Statehood in the early 1970's. This paved the way for our Independence from Britain on November 1 1981. He then went on to become the First Prime Minister of the islands Sir. Vere Cornwall Bird was his name. Although we were an independent nation there was a representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Sir Wilfred Jacobs First Governor General (queen's Rep.) of the twin island state after independence. After sir Vere's retirement in the late 1980's his predecessor his son Hon. Lester Bryant Bird became the next Prime Minister and Sir. James B Carlisle became the Next Governor General after the death of Sir. Wilfred Jacobs. As an independent country, the twin island prospered greatly. It wasn't until the late 1990's saw the emergence of greed and corruption within the ruling governing body the Antigua Labour party (ALP) headed by Mr. Lester Bryant Bird. The people once again were faced with suffrage and without the leadership of an honest people. And in 2004 the people voted for a change and change indeed they got. Thus, the new governing body the United Progressive Party (UPP) headed by Hon. Winston Baldwin Spencer Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. What will become of Antigua and Barbuda now? That story is yet untold......

A Bit Of History

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