and recaptured the island.
In 1700, Grenada had a population of 257 whites, 53 coloureds and 525 slaves. Between 1705 and 1710 the French built Fort Royal at St. George’ s which is now known as Fort George. In 1738 the first hospital was built.
On March 4th 1762 Grenada was captured by the British under Commodore Swanton. In the treaty of Paris on February 10th 1763, Grenada was given to Britain. Under British rule we had three slave uprisings in 1767, 1771 and again in 1775 when the town of St. George was burnt to the ground.
In July 1779, France stormed Hospital Hill and recaptured Grenada. They also defeated a British relief force during the naval battle that month.
September 3rd, 1783, Grenada was restored to Britain with the treaty of Versailles and the following year the first newspaper the“ Grenada Chronicle” began publishing.
In March 1795, Fedon started a rebellion against the British with night-time coordinated attacks on the villages of Grenville and Gouyave. Julien Fedon an estate owner of mixed race from Belvedere St. John’ s stated that he“ intended to make Grenada a black republic just like Haiti”. Fedon and his men controlled most of Grenada with the exception of the parish of St. George’ s.
In March 1795 and June 1796, 14,000 of Grenada’ s 28,000 slaves joined the revolution forces in order to write their own emancipation and transform themselves into citizens. 7000 of these self liberated slaves would perish in the name of freedom. The British defeated Fedon’ s forces in late 1796 but Fedon was never captured and his fate remains unknown.
On February 7th, 1974 Grenada gained its independence from Britain. Our first prime minister was Sir Eric M. Gairy.
Movement led a revolution, overthrowing the Prime Minister Eric M Gairy.
In October 1983, the revolution came to an abrupt end with the assassination of Maurice Bishop by a rogue faction of his New Jewel Movement. The United States assisted in restoring law and order. Elections were held and Grenada returned to democratic rule with Prime Minister Nicholas Brathwaite at the helm. Our current Prime Minister is Dr. Keith Mitchell.
Grenada has had a tumultuous history but we have also had many reasons to celebrate:
>> In 1970, our Jennifer Hosten was crowned Miss World.
>> In 2012, our Kirani James became the Olympic 400 metre champion and he continues his winning streak. We are the smallest island nation to ever win gold at the Olympics. Per capita, Grenada now leads the score for gold medals.
>> In March 2005, Lance Sergeant Johnston Beharry received the Victoria Cross for bravery with the British and Commonwealth forces for saving his platoon on two occasions.
Grenada the island of spice, unspoilt gem of the Caribbean. Consisting of three islands Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, with an approximate population of 110,000 people and a size of 133 sq miles.
In March 1979, reminiscent of Julien Fedon’ s rebellion, Maurice Bishop and his New Jewel
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