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History of Grenada
From antiquity to the modern era — the historical eras, key events, and narrative that shaped Grenada.
Overview
Before the arrival of Europeans, Carib Indians who had driven the more peaceful Arawaks from the island inhabited Grenada. Columbus landed on Grenada in 1498 during his third voyage to the new world. He named the island "Concepcion." The origin of the name "Grenada" is obscure, but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada. By the beginning of the 18th century, the name "Grenada," or "la Grenade" in French, was in common use.
Historical Eras
The major periods of {country}’s history at a glance.
Indigenous & Pre-Contact
1000 – 1498
Grenada was inhabited first by the Arawak people and later by the more warlike Carib Indians, who displaced the Arawaks across the Lesser Antilles. The Caribs' fierce resistance to European encroachment kept the island uncolonized for well over a century after Columbus sighted it in 1498 and named it 'Concepcion' during his third voyage to the New World.
French Colonial Era
1498 – 1763
French settlers, backed by a company founded under Cardinal Richelieu, established a permanent colony in 1650 and founded the town that became Saint George's. After defeating the last Carib holdouts — who famously leaped from cliffs rather than surrender — France developed the island through sugar cultivation using enslaved labor, holding control until Britain seized Grenada during the Seven Years' War.
British Colonial Era
1763 – 1974
Formally ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Grenada underwent significant economic transformation as nutmeg and cocoa displaced sugar after natural disasters devastated the estates. Slavery was abolished in 1834, giving rise to a yeoman farming class; Grenada passed through the Windward Islands Administration and a short-lived West Indies Federation before achieving full independence on February 7, 1974.
Independence & Revolution
1974 – 1983
Sir Eric Gairy led Grenada as its first Prime Minister following independence, but his increasingly authoritarian rule was ended by the Marxist New Jewel Movement's nearly bloodless coup in March 1979. Prime Minister Maurice Bishop forged close alliances with Cuba and the Soviet Union until an internal power struggle resulted in his arrest and execution in October 1983, triggering a rapid collapse of civil order.
U.S. Intervention & Restoration
1983 – 1984
On October 25, 1983, a joint U.S.-Caribbean military force invaded Grenada in response to appeals from the Governor General and regional neighbors, swiftly neutralizing the People's Revolutionary Army and detaining hundreds of Cuban military advisers. The intervention restored constitutional order within days, and free democratic elections were held in December 1984, returning Grenada to parliamentary governance.
Modern Grenada
1984 – present
Since the restoration of democracy, Grenada has pursued a stable parliamentary system modeled on Westminster traditions, with an economy anchored in spice exports, tourism, and agriculture. The island suffered a severe setback with Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which destroyed much of its infrastructure, but undertook substantial reconstruction and continued developing diversified agricultural initiatives such as organic banana production.
Timeline Preview
The first 7 key events. View the full chronology on the timeline page.
1498
Christopher Columbus sights the islands, which he names Grenada after the Spanish city.
Christopher Columbus sights the islands, which he names Grenada after the Spanish city.
1650
French settlers from Martinique establish a colony and found Saint George’s, the present capital.
French settlers from Martinique establish a colony and found Saint George’s, the present capital.
1783
France cedes Grenada to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles.
France cedes Grenada to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles; African slaves brought in to work on the cotton, sugar and tobacco plantations.
1834
Slavery abolished.
Slavery abolished.
1974
Grenada becomes independent with Gairy as prime minister.
Grenada becomes independent with Gairy as prime minister.
2002
Major organic banana project launched in an effort to boost the industry.
Major organic banana project launched in an effort to boost the industry; 150 acres are set aside for organic cultivation.
2004
Grenada takes a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan.
Grenada takes a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan. Prime Minister Mitchell declares a national disaster; he says the island is 90% devastated.