Bermuda's Historical Events

Bermuda Historical Events

Here is a snapshot of the chronological events in Bermuda's history:

1511 Bermuda was named after the Spanish captain Juan de Bermudez who is known to be the first discoverer of Bermuda.

1609 Sir George Somers and his fleet of 9 ships had to be navigated to Bermuda due to a severe storm. Sent by the Virginia Company, he was leading a team of 150 sailors and settlers towards a new English colony - Jamestown. He was himself on the flagship named Sea Venture. All of them survived and stayed in Bermuda for 10 months.

1610 The settlers create two new ships - the Deliverance and Patience. They then once again set sail for Jamestown only to face another disaster. On arrival in Jamestown they find that almost all the population of the colony has already died out of starvation. Somers returns to Bermuda to get more food supply, but falls sick and dies.

1612 The Virginia Company of England sent a party of 60 settlers under the command of Sir Richard Moore, the island's first governor. They joined the three men that were left behind earlier by Somers to maintain the claim of the island. Once the new group of settlers reached, they founded and commenced construction of the town of St. George.

1616 Slaves are brought into the island.

1620 A representative government was introduced in Bermuda. The administrative authority was given to a Bermuda company. House of Assembly held its first session in St. Peters Church, and Bermuda became a self-governing British colony.

1684 The Bermuda company is dissolved and Bermuda Government takes back the control.

1804 Irish poet Thomas Moore visits Bermuda.

1815 Bermuda’s capital moves from St George to city of Hamilton.

1834 Slavery in Bermuda is abolished.

1844 Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the world, is constructed.

1861 US Civil War begins and Bermudians make their fortune ferrying supplies and arms.

1883 Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise visits Bermuda. Her visit helps promote Bermuda as a tourist destination.

1941 The United States takes on lease a large part of the island for 99 years and begin construction of military base.

1963 The Progressive Labor Party, Bermuda’s first political party, is formed out of the black labor movement.

1964 United Bermuda Party is formed to represent whites and businesses.

1968 First election under a new constitution is held. The United Bermuda Party wins.

1973 Governor Richard Sharples and his aide are assassinated. His body lies in St Peter’s Church.

1977 Buck Burrows gets convicted for the Governor’s murder and is hanged. This triggered widespread riots in Bermuda.

1995 US Navy and British Royal Navy close their bases in Bermuda.

2000 Town of St George added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

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