Bermuda - 400 Years of History

1609: Start of human settlement as a result of shipwreck of the Sea Venture which was bound for Virginia.

1612: Permanent settlers arrive from England, one of them being Richard Moore, the first Governor. Town of St. George established.

1616: One black and one Indian arrive from West Indies as indentured servants to dive for pearls.

1620: House of Assembly formed, giving some measure of internal self-government.

1668: Island Economy Is Based On: Whaling, shipbuilding, tobacco growing and beginning of salt raking in Turks Island (1668-1801).

1730: Resistance to slavery continues to grow. First newspaper begins publication (Bermuda Gazette).

1784: First Postal Service begins.

1792: Building of Hamilton begins.

1792: Island Economy Is Based On: Privateering becomes main economic activity as result of hostilities between England and European countries.

1810: Construction of Dockyard begins.

1815: Hamilton becomes capital city.

1834: Abolition of slavery.

1839: Bermuda Liberty founded.

1847: Arrival of first Portuguese labourers.

1858: First bank established.

1887: Introduction of first telephone and cable service.

1894: King Edward VII Memorial Hospital established.

1894: Island Economy Based Is On: Agriculture gains in economic importance; export of spring vegetables to eastern United States.

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