| 1900 |
An
annual sum allocated by Government for clearing brush at Brimstone
Hill.
|
| 1902 |
Eruption
of mont Pelee in Martinique (more than 30, 000 perish); and
Soufrere in St. Vincent (2,000 Killed).
|
| 1912 |
Central
Sugar Factory, near Basseterre, begins operations to manufacture
sugar previously undertaken by various estate mills around the
island. |
| 1917 |
Puerto
Ricans become U.S citizens. The island eventually (1952) becomes
a 'Commonwealth' of the U.S.A
The U.S purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark |
| 1914-18 |
First
World War. Many from St. Kitts and Nevis and other British colonies
volunteer and serve in the British armed Forces. |
| 1926 |
Basseterre
Sugar Factory Railway completed. |
| 1929-30 |
Some
30 cannons replaced at Brimstone Hill |
| 1930s |
Emergence
of Rastafarians movement in Jamaica.. |
| 1935 |
Spontaneous
revolt by sugar estate workers over conditions break out at
Buckley's Estate. Other similar disturbances thereafter break
out in other British West Indian Colonies. |
| 1939-45
|
The
Second World War. Many men and women from the islands volunteer
and serve Allied Forces (British and Canadian). |
| 1946 |
Martinique,
Guadeloupe and other French Caribbean colonies opt to become
departments of France. |
| 1952 |
Universal
Adult Suffrage enacted in St. Kitts Nevis and Anguilla; ministerial
form of government introduced. |
| 1954 |
Dutch
Caribbean colonies become associated states within the Kingdom
of the Netherlands |
| 1956 |
Leeward
Islands Federation abolished, to make way for proposed West
Indies Federation |
| 1958 |
Ten
British Colonies in the Caribbean combine to form the West Indies
Federation |
| 1959 |
Fidel
Castro comes to power in Cuba |
| 1962 |
The
West Indies Federation is dissolved. |
| 1965 |
The
Society for the Restoration of Brimstone Hill is formed. The
Government leases the entire Fortress to the Society for 21
years at a nominal rental |
| 1966 |
Visit
to Brimstone Hill by Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
The access road to the Parade paved in preparation of this visit |
| 1967 |
Statehood:
St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla becomes a "State in Association
with Britain", a form of quasi-independence in which Britain
retained control of foreign affairs. Anguilla rebels against
independence with St. Kitts (and eventually, in 1983, reverts
to colonial status as a dependency of Britain).
A failed attempt is made by a small group of Anguillians and
local supporters to overthrow the government in St. Kitts
|
| 1970
(August) |
The
Christena Disaster. Inter-island ferry sinks between St. Kitts
and Nevis with the loss of 227 lives. |
| 1973 |
The
Treaty of Chaguaramas establishes the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
made up of former and current British Caribbean Colonies for
the purpose of collaborating trade as well as in other areas
such as Education foreign policy and culture.
The restored Prince of Wales Bastion ceremonially re- opened
by Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. |
| 1974 |
Earthquake
damages part of the Citadel and other retaining walls of Brimstone
Hill |
| 1975 |
Government
acquires sugar estate lands (which constituted more than 80%
of the arable land and previously owned by a small group of
individuals - many absentees - and syndicates). |
| 1979 |
A
bloodless revolution in Grenada; a new government takes power |
| 1981 |
Treaty
of Basseterre establishes the Organization of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS) made up of 8 of the smaller states and territories
of CARICOM. Shares common monetary authority, the Eastern Caribbean
Central Bank (ECCB). |
| 1982 |
Bicentennial
of the Great Siege of Brimstone Hill is commemorated. Museum
opened at Fort George (the Citadel) in restored barrack rooms.
Canteen and public toilets (housed in a reconstructed building
are completed. |
| 1983
(September) |
Independence:
St. Kitts & Nevis becomes an independent State.
Workshop on "The Uses of Historical Resources", organised
by Island Resources Foundation, is held at Brimstone Hill.
Leaders
of Revolutionary Government in Grenada are murdered; U.S forces
invade the island.
A 'Feasibility Study of the Development of Brimstone Hill' completed
by Frederick C. Gjessing of the US National Parks Service; many
of Mr. Gjessings proposals (and architectural drawings) have
been employed. |
| 1985 |
Unveiling,
by Britain's Queen Elizabeth, of a plaque at Brimstone Hill
inaugurating the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park Society
as successor to the Society for the Restoration of Brimstone
Hill. A special Resolution effecting that change had been passed
earlier that year by the Society.
Repairing and stabilizing of Infantry officers' Barracks and
retaining Walls completed. The Society completed and moves into
its own office on land leased from Government, at Taylor's Range. |
| 1987 |
The
National Conservation and Environmental Protection Act is gazetted
and becomes law. This Act, among it's many provisions, declares
Brimstone Hill Fortress a National Park and empowers the Society
to administer it. |
| 1989 |
Reconstruction
of Warrant Officers' Quarters completed.
Presentation of the useful 'Pre-feasibility study of the Preservation,
Restoration and Development of Brimstone Hill Fortress, by Author
Young on behalf of the Caribbean Conservation Association.
Presentation
of valuable study by Victor T. Smith of the Fortress Study Group
(UK) of 'Brimstone Hill Fortress: a report on its History, with
proposals for its continued Restoration, interpretation and
Development as a public Historic monument and Tourist Attraction |
| 1990 |
Society
celebrates tercentenary of the first arming of Brimstone Hill,
with a military parade. "Beating the Retreat" by the
St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force, at Brimstone Hill. D. Lloyd Matheson
is proclaimed President Emeritus of the Society. |
| 1991 |
Reconstruction
of Commissariat Building is completed |
| 1992 |
The
D. Lloyd Matheson Visitors' Centre is officially opened. Named
in honour of the President Emeritus and President of the Society
1967-89, it houses the Gift Shop and audio- visual Orientation
Room in the reconstructed Commissariat Building. |
| 1995 |
Volcanic
eruption in Montserrat. |
| 1996 |
National
Honours Act proclaims Robert Bradshaw former Premier as the
first national Hero of St. Kitts & Nevis |
| 1996-1999 |
Archaeological
investigations at Brimstone Hill seek and document the role
of African slaves in its construction and maintenance. 8-10
week field sessions, led by Gerald Schroedl of the University
of Tennessee were conducted once a year for four consecutive
years |
| 1997 |
Prince
of Wales Bastion Conference and Banquet Centre officially opened.
|
| 1998 |
Referendum
in Nevis on Secession from Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
61.7% vote in favour, 38% against. Required majority for a successful
motion is 67%. |
| 1999 |
At
the 23rd Session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, the Brimstone
Hill Fortress National Park is inscribed on the World Heritage
List of cultural properties of outstanding universal value |
