CHRONOLOGY

Guyana: A Chronology

900
Amerindians, Arawakan and Cariban tribes appear in the Guiana Highlands

1498
Columbus sights the Guyanese coast

1530
Spaniard Pedro de Acosta is driven off the land by Indians as he attempts to establish a settlement on the Barima River

1562
The first slave trading expedition, captain by Captain Hawkins, sells its cargo of African slaves in the Caribbean

1580
The Netherlands obtained independence from Spain

1595
Sir Walter Raleigh sails for the Guianas in search of the golden city of El Dorado

1610
The Netherlands emerges as a major commercial power, trading with the newly formed French and British colonies in the Lesser Antilles

1616
The first sugar cane plantation in the British West Indies makes its appearance in Bermuda

1616
Slave population in Bermuda: one African, one East Indian

1616
The Dutch establish a permanent trading post, approximately twenty-five kilometers upstream from the mouth of the Essequibo River

1616
The Dutch build Fort Kijkoveral at the junction of the Essequibo, Mazaruni, and Cuyuni rivers

1621
Established for trade: The Dutch West India Company

1621
The beginning of the 170 years of Dutch West India Company rule of Essequibo after the company is given complete control over the trading post on the Essequibo River by the Dutch government

1623
Over 15,000 kilograms of tobacco is exported by the Dutch from Essequibo thereby establishing the colony as a major agricultural crop producer. A far cry from the Dutch's original plan for the colony as just a way station or trading post for trade with the Caribbean states

1624
The Dutch West India Company establishes a second colony: Berbice

1663
Slave population is estimated at 2,500. That of the Amerindians , 50,000

1685
The first schools are established in the colonies

1701
Population Essequibo: 67 Europeans. 800 slaves

1738
Laurens Storm Van Gravesande appointed Director General leading to the subsequent development of Demerara

1738
European demand for sugar forces the Dutch to transfer their administrative center from Kijkoveral to Flag Island at the mouth of the Essequibo River

1741
Another settlement, situated between Berbice and Essequibo and called Demerara, is formed by the Dutch

1746
The area surrounding the Demerara River is opened by the Dutch to British immigrants leading to an increased population in the Demerara colony. Unwittingly, the Dutch had numbered their own ruling days

1760
The British, thanks in large part to the opening of the colony by the Dutch, become the majority European inhabitants of the Demerara colony

1763
Cuffy's revolution on Magdalenenburg Plantation on the Canje River

1767
The Dutch using the polder system begin profitable irrigation of the coastal plain, which remains, perhaps, the most productive plantation area in Guyana today

1770
Population: 10,000 slaves in Essequibo and Demerara; 4000 slaves and 350 whites in Berbice

1773
Demerara attains colony status

1781
Britain and Netherlands cuff each other up. Britain now occupy Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara

1781
France teams up with the Netherlands and seizes control of the colonies

1782
The French establish a new town at the mouth of the Demerara River and call this town, Longchamps

1784
The Dutch regain control of the colonies and move their colonial capital to Longchamps, which they promptly rename Stabroeck

1786
The British, for all intents and purposes, now had control of the internal affairs of Demerara

1791
The Dutch West India Company ceased existence in the the three colonies. Jurisdiction was transferred to the Estates General

1792
The country's first constitution, the Concept Plan of Redress is promulgated under Dutch rule

1792
Demerara and Essequibo become one and is named The United Colony of Demerara and Essequibo. Berbice remains a loner

1795
Guiana becomes a Republic !

1795
Population: Demerara- 29,473

1795
The French occupy the Netherlands

1796
The British declare war on France and launch an expeditionary force from Barbados to regain control of the colonies

1798
Population: Demerara- 39,232

1800
Number of sugar cane estates in the colonies -- 380

1802
The Treaty of Amiens return the colonies to the Dutch from Britain

1803
War broke out between France and Britain, yep, again, and Britain regains control of the colonies

1806
African slaves now numbered about 97,500 in the colonies of Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo

1807
The slave trade is abolished [but not SLAVERY]

1812
The Dutch Constitution is abolished by the British and political rights are givento women in the colonies

1814
Thanks to the London Convention of 1814 Britain formally became sole possessors of the United Colony and Berbice

1823
Thomas Fowell Buxton releases a pamphlet entitled: 'An Appeal to the Religion, Justice, and Humanity of the Inhabitants of the British Empire on Behalf of the Negro Slaves in the West Indies'

1831
The United Colony and Berbice merge to become British Guiana. Hip, hip, hooray!!!

1834
Slavery is abolished in British Guiana

1835
429 Portuguese are imported from Madeira, first such importation

1835
German explorer Robert Hermann Schomburgk is asked by Britain to map B.G. and to mark its boundaries. This is the present day origin of the border dispute with Venezuela. As requested by the British, Schomburgk began his mapping at the Venezuela border at the mouth of the Orinoco River

1838
Period of Apprenticeship is terminated by all British West Indian colonies

1838
396 East Indians imported. The first such importation

1839
Victoria and Buxton become the first two estates to be purchased by freed slaves

1840
Freed Africans flex their financial wherewithal and pool their resources to purchase some land, on the coast of the Essequibo River, from a former slave owner

1840
A map of British Guiana, as drawn up by the German Robert Hermann Schomburgk becomes available to all, and the trouble begins

1840
Venezuela protests the newly drawn up map .

1841
There were 101 elementary schools in B.G.

1841
The freed Africans make it official and call their village 'Queenstown'

1844
Queens College is established

1849
Women in the colonies lose their polical rights given to them in 1812

1850
Both British Guiana and Venezuela agree not to occupy the region in question

1853
Chinese immigrants arrive in the colonies

1855
The Combined Court assumes responsibility for settling all governmental salary disputes

1857
Gold is discovered in the disputed territory. All bets, good will, and agreements, are off

1876
Primary education becomes compulsory

1887
Venezuela, rebuffed repeatedly by Britain over an agreeable settlement of the disputed territory, breaks off all diplomatic ties with Britain. Venezuela cries Uncle (Sam) and the United States is brought in on behalf of the Venezuelans. President Cleveland, carrying a big stick, threatened to invoke the Monroe Doctrine

1889
The anti-Portuguese riots

1889
City Hall building completed

1891
The abolishment of the College of Electors and the relaxation of voter qualifications are incorporated into the constitution as demanded by reformers. The plantation owners stranglehold on the government begin its erosion

1891
Number of African born blacks: 3,442

1895
The first of what is to become a monumental headache for Guyana is tendered: Venezuela makes a territorial claim to the mineral rich land within the Guyanese borders. All Venezuela wants is 55,000 sq. mi. of Guyana's 83,000 sq. mi. Sounds reasonable enough. Perhaps British Guiana should also be renamed Venezuela East!

1897
Britain, remembering the beating it took at the hands of the Americans about 125 years or so ago, agree to let the disputed territory be arbitrated by an international tribu

nal

1897
The secret ballot is introduced

1899
The international tribunal (composed of a Russian, two Brits, and two Yanks) deal a not so good hand to Venezuela. It awards 94 of the disputed territory to B.G. (Venezuela got to keep the territory surrounding the mouth of the Orinoco River and some Atlantic coastline)

1905
The Ruimveldt Riots , reflecting the widespread dissatisfaction of the workers about their standard of living, sends its intended message. The limited British Guiana Electorate is expanded thereby becoming a bit more representative

1905
Although not pleased with the outcome, Venezuela accepted the new alignment

1914
Demerara Bauxite Company was established

1914
Mining of bauxite begins

1917
Britain, under tremendous pressure and criticism from Indian nationalists agree, reluctantly, to outlaw indentured labor

1917
The British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU) is established

1918
Cheddi Jagan born

1920
Membership in the BGLU was 13,000

1921
Forbes Burnham born

1921
BGLU granted legal status--signifying the emerging political savvy of the working class

1928
The Crown Colony system of government is introduced in B.G.

1928
The first Training College for Teachers is established

1930
s Riots rock the British West Indies. The Moyne Commission is established to ascertain the reasons the natives were restless

1930
s The Great Depression hits--hard. All major exports (bauxite, rice, sugar) were affected by low prices. Unemployment skyrocketed

1938
The Moyne Commission made its recommendations. Among them, extension of the franchise to women and denizens not owning land. WWII, unfortunately, intervened and the recommendations were not implemented

1939
WW II breaks out. Many Afro-Guyanese join the military. Their hope--that they will learn and gain new job skills and put their life long poverty behind them

1940
Population: 347,000

1941
Thanks to the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, a modern air base was constructed by U. S. troops. This air base was at Atkinson, air field now Timerhi Airport

1942
Jagan graduates from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois

1942
Burnham wins the lone scholarship for the outstanding Guyanese student to study abroad

1943
Governor Sir Gordon Lethem reduced property qualifications for holding office and for voting as well. He also made elective members a majority on the Legislative Council

1945
Jagan becomes treasurer of the Manpower Citizens' Association

1946
Burnham wins Best Speaker's Cup at the Law faculty at London University

1946
Jagan joins the Political Affairs Committee

1946
Guyanese population stood at 375,000

1947
Burnham receives law degree with honors from London University

1948
Five Indo-Guyanese are shot by police on a sugar plantation. Jagan along with the Guiana Industrial Workers' Union (GIWU) organized a peaceful demonstration

1949
Burnham returns to British Guiana from London University

1950
PPP founded by Jagan

1950
PPP wins its first victory in municipal elections

1950
Universal adult suffrage is recommended by a British commission

1953
The PPP wins the first general elections ever held in B.G.

1953
B.G. is governed by an interim government

1953
PPP wins its first general elections

1

953
Universal Adult Suffrage is introduced in the new B.G. constitution

1953
B.G.'s constitution is suspended by the British. Jagan is ousted from office

1953
Jagan and President John Kennedy meet

1955
PPP begin to split : one faction led by Jagan, the other by Burnham

1956
Bank Brewers Ltd established

1956
A newly revised constitution is tendered for acceptance

1957
New elections are held. Jagan wins again

1957
PNC founded by Forbes Burnham

1957
PPP wins new elections. Dr. Cheddi Jagan, once again, assumes high office. This time as Chief Minister

1958
Federation of the West Indies launched by Britain

1959
Population: 425,000--191,000 East Indians, 156,000 Africans, 45,000 mixed, 17,000 Amerindians, 8,800 Portuguese, 3,800 other Europeans, 3,500 Chinese

1960
United Force founded by Peter d'Aguiar

1961
The parties vie for power in the current election. PPP, PNC , and UF

1961
Jagan appointed Premier, as yet another constitution seeking self government is adopted

1962
Federation of the West Indies dissolves

1962-3
Disturbances, designed to show the populace's disaffection with the PPP rock Georgetown

1962
Venezuela announces that it has decided to reject the boundary agreement of 1899

1963
B.G. proudly opens the University of Guyana

1964
Following an incredibly deteriorating and unstable social environments, linked to strikes and disturbances primarily, the Governor assumes control over B.G. By the end of the disturbances and riots 160 people had died and thousands of homes were destroyed

1964
Although the PPP won the general elections, the PNC and UF formed a coalition government

1964
A coalition government is formed. Burnham becomes Prime Minister

1964
Riots break out over the Labor Relations Bill of the PPP, followed by a general strike. The bill was never enacted

1964
Jagan, angry with the PNC and UF refuse to leave office. The constitution was amended to allow Jagan's removal from office by the governor. Burnham becomes Prime Minister

1965
B.G. becomes a charter member of CARIFTA

1966
Queen Elizabeth II visits British Guiana--three months before independence

1966
Geneva Agreement among U.K, Venezuela, and B.G.

1966
Commonwealth membership

1966
Exchange rate: G$1.7 = US$1

1966
Hooray!!! Guyanese independence--May 26!!

1966
Venezuela seizes the B.G. half of Ankoko Island, in the Cuyuni River

1966
UN membership number 118

1968
Cuba offers military aid to Guyana against the Venezuelans. The offer was rejected. Fidel was not pleased

1968
Economic assistance from America is $18.3 million

1968
Powerful Brazil decides to back Guyana in its border dispute with Venezuela, thereby keeping Venezuela at bay

1968
PNC rules without the UF. The first claims of tampering and rigging of elections by the PNC is heard. It was only the beginning

1969
Surinam sends troops to a disputed territory with Guyana

1969
Rupununi Rebellion

1970
Diplomatic ties with U.S.S.R. are announced

1970
Guyana National Debt--G$250 million

1970
National Debt: G$267 million

1970
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is established (February 23--in recognition of Cuffy's Revolution in 1763)

1970
Guyana's continuing border dispute with Venezuela is put on the back burner until 1812 by the Port-of-Spain Protocol

1970
Guyanese population stood at 700,000

1971
Brazil-Guyana Commission for Economic Cooperation announced

1971
Demerara Bauxite Company nationalized

1971
Alcan Bauxite Company nationalized

1972
Diplomatic ties with East Germany are established

1972
First Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts is held in Guyana

1972
Guyana plays host to the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Nonaligned Countries

1972
Diplomatic ties with China are announced

1973
Guyana's 'cultural revolution' gets under way

1973
The Kuru Kuru Cooperative College is established

1973
Fidel Castro visits Guyana

1973
The Working People's Alliance ( WPA ) is founded

1973
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) is officially recognized. The old name-Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) bites the dust

1973
Caricom membership

1974
International Bauxite Association

1974
National Debt: G$673 million

1974
The Graphic newspaper purchased by the government. An opposing voice silenced

1974
Diplomatic ties with North Korea are established

1974
Economic assistance from America drops to $0.2 million

1974
Burnham's ' Declaration of Sophia '

1975
Diplomatic ties with Cuba are announced

1975
Trade with the EEC is six times larger than that of the Socialist Bloc

1975
Burnham visits China, the first ever by a leader in the Caribbean

1975
Jessels Securities, and Reynolds Bauxite nationalized

1975
The U.S. accuses Guyana of allowing Timerhi Airport to be used as a refueling stop for the Cubans transporting troops to Angola

1975
Burnham visits Romania

1975
Burnham visits Cuba

1975
Jagan and the PPP decides to end its boycott of the government

1976
International Finance Corporation and International Development Association

1976
The government took control of church schools despite vocal denunciations from religious groups

1976
Booker McConnell sugar nationalized

1976
Diplomatic ties with Czechoslovakia are established

1976
All schools are placed under the control of the government

1976
Emigration takes a toll as needed Guyanese expertise and intelligence leaves the country

1977
The Cuffy Ideological Institute is established

1978
PNC wins another election amidst a coordinated low turnout

1978
Constitution is amended through referendum

1978
Jim Jones, Leo Ryan , and the People's Temple massacre

1978
Guyana National Debt--G$1.8 billion

1979
Walter Rodney killed. PNC blamed

1979
Non-Aligned Movement membership

1980
164,830 primary students; 424 primary schools

1980
Constitution is amended. The ceremonial post of president is thrown out. The head of government becomes the executive president. Burnham becomes Emperor, uh, Executive President

1980
PNC wins again. WPA refuses to participate

1980
The Presbyterian Church claims 39,000 members in its churches

1980
Guyanese population stood at 758,619

1980
45,595 secondary students; 87 secondary schools

1980
1052 teacher training students; 3 colleges

1980
Indo-Guyanese constituted 51 of the population; that of Afro-Guyanese 42 ; Amerindian 4 ; Europeans and Asians 3

1980
1889 university students; 1 university

1980
3,595 technical school students; 12 colleges

1981
130 students were said to attend primary schools making the enrollment a whopping 95 . There were 73,700 secondary students- for an enrollment rate of 57

1981
Exchange rate: G$2.5 = $US1

1982
Guyana finds itself in the vice grip of economic woes. Public services, infrastructure, and the standard of living all decline precipitously. Blackouts occur daily or so it seems, water service is decidedly unsatisfactory. The staples of life-- sugar and rice, along with kerosene and cooking oil are nowhere to be found in plentiful supply

1983
Soviet Union shoots down Korean passenger airliner. Guyana, standing virtually alone amongst third world countries, refuses to condemn the shooting. USAID withdrawn from Guyana by then president Ronald Reagan

1983
Guyanese-Venezuelan border dispute is referred to the U.N.

1983
There were 2004 university students

1983
Exchange rate: G$3.0 = US$1

1983
In the midst of economic ruination the black market economy thrives

1984
Nursery schools numbered 368; primary schools numbered 418; secondary schools numbered 58; multilateral schools numbered 30; and high school numbered 30

1984
National Debt:G$1.8 billion

1985
Burnham dies

1985
Desmond Hoyte replaces Burnham

1985
The population in Georgetown is 195,000. In Linden, the second largest town, 30,000. New Amsterdam, the capital of Berbice, 20,000

1985
The Roman Catholic Church claims 94,000 members in its churches

1985
The Guyanese Defense Force comes into being

1985
PNC wins in elections. Charges of fraud and corruption are heard once again

1987
Exchange rate: G$10 = US$1

1988
Hoyte eases up on the ban against foreign activity and ownership. A certain measure of freedom of the press returns

1988
Hoyte visits U.S. and President Bush, signaling his 'break' with Burnham and his new found, economic, alliance with the West

1989
Hoyte visits Venezuela. Border continues, although both countries agree to a mutually acceptable intermediary, as recommended by the U.N. Secretary General

1989
Brazilian head of state visits Guyana. A first

1989
Exchange rate: G$32 = US$1

1989
April Rebellion of 1989

1990
The Anglican Church claims 125,000 members in its churches

1990
Guyana's estimated literacy rate of 91 makes it one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere

1990
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter visits Guyana in hopes of insuring an open and fair electoral process

1990
Guyana's death rate (mortality) of five per 1000 makes it one of the lowest rates in the Western Hemisphere

1990
One hundred and forty-five cases of AIDS reported

1991
The opposition newspaper, Stabroek News, increases its publication to six times a week. A far cry from its humble beginnings as a weekly. Democracy returns s l o w l y

1992
PPP wins General Elections. Cheddi Jagan back in office as President

Recent Developments

updated: September 23, 1995


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Guyana: Land of Six Peoples