 |
 |
 Current time in Anguilla |
Christopher Columbus sailed by Anguilla in 1493 while others state that the island was first discovered by the French in 1564 or 1565. During this time the Europeans changed the islands name from Malliouhana to Anguilla referring to its long eel shape.
In 1650 Anguilla first became colonized. English settlers found that the soil in Anguilla was good for growing corn and tobacco, so plantations began. During continuing struggles between the British and the French for control in the Caribbean, the French made attempts to invade Anguilla in 1745 and 1796 but failed. Efforts were made to develop Anguilla into an intensive plantation-based economy employing slaves from Africa, but the island’s soil and climate were unfavourable and the plantations were largely unsuccessful and Anguilla’s population fell from around 10,000 to just 2,000 at that time.
Since the early days of colonisation, Anguilla had been administered by the British through Antigua, with Anguilla also having its own legislative council. In 1824 the British government placed Anguilla under the administrative control of Saint Kitts and later it became part of the colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla. Anguilla’s discontent had to continue until the 27th of February 1967 when Britain granted the territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla the status of “associated state” with its own constitution and a considerable degree of self government. Anguillans protested strongly at this arrangement, perceiving a lack of interest in their affairs on the part of the Saint Kitts administration, and several requests were made for the island to be ruled directly from Britain. May 30th, is celebrated today as Anguilla Day. This day commemorated the repulsion of the Royal St. Kitts Police Force from the island on 30th May 1967. Britain intervened and a peacekeeping committee was established. Debate over Anguilla’s sovereign status continued for another decade until December 19, 1980 when Anguilla became a separate Independent Territory (British Overseas Territory) with some measure of autonomy in Government.
Links