History of Antigua and Barbuda

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History of Antigua and Barbuda
Timeline Years
Pre-Columbian period Jolly Beach people Twenty Hill Archaic period in Barbuda Winthorpe's Bay Ceramic period in Saint Mary Ceramic period in Barbuda
European settlement Early colonisation (1493–1687) Height of slavery (1688–1832)
Late colonial era Post-emancipation (1833–1870) Presidency of Antigua (1871–1958) Territory of Antigua (1958–1962) Colony of Antigua (1962–1967) Associated State of Antigua (1967–1981)
Antigua and Barbuda Post-independence (1981–1994) Late Bird era (1994–2004) Post-Bird era (2004–2014) Since 2014
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The history of Antigua and Barbuda covers the period from the arrival of the Archaic peoples thousands of years ago to the present day. Prior to European colonization, the lands encompassing present-day Antigua and Barbuda were inhabited by three successive Amerindian societies. The island was claimed by England, who settled the islands in 1632. Under English/British control, the islands witnessed an influx of both Britons and African slaves migrate to the island. In 1981, the islands were granted independence as the modern state of Antigua and Barbuda.