| It is believed that during 300-600 A.D. Indians from South America
landed on the shores of Jamaica to begin settlement of our fair
isle. It has been speculated that they might have been Arawak or
Taino Indians. Some 800-900 years later a fierce band of Indians
the Caribs also landed in Jamaica. During his second voyage Christopher
Columbus landed in St. Ann's Bay and begins Jamaica's journey into
the New World for better or worse. |
| In the early 16th century the first African
slaves arrive in Jamaica. In the mid-seventh century, 1655, the
English capture Jamaica from the Spanish. The Spanish flee to Cuba
but their released slaves become an august part of our history
as the Maroons, having the distinction of never being defeated
in battle by the English. They earn the right to govern themselves
in a treaty signed in 1739. |
| In 1760 a slave rebellion in Port Maria makes the Coromantee
a known figure in Jamaican history. In 1807 the English abolish
the slave trade to the colonies, but it takes a rebellion led by
'Sam Sharpe' a green preacher in Montego Bay in 1831. The severe
retribution of the authorities creates the anti-slavery sentiment
in England and in 1834 slavery is abolished. |
| In 1865, Jamaica is made a British colony
after the government savagely represses the Morant Bay rebellion
led by Paul Bogle by executing over 400 conspirators. In 1872 Kingston
becomes the capital of Jamaica. In 1962 we are granted independence
from England and so we remain today. |
 |
| The temperature should be a low of 78?F at the start
of the race. With low annual rainfall, rain is not expected. |
| AD600-900 |
| Indians arrived in Jamaica, probably in a number of excursions
between these periods. The Arawaks or Tainos, there is some discussion
probably originated in South America. As many as 100,000 Indians
it is estimated lived all over Jamaica. |
| 1494 |
| In 1494 Christopher
Columbus stumbled upon a bay on Jamaica's north coast
that is now called St. Ann's Bay. He named the island St. Jago
or Santiago in honour of St. James. The island was well inhabited
at this time but eventually he was accepted and traded with the
Indians. On his third voyage nine years later, after sailing
from the Americas his two caravels, worm-eaten and tattered would
go no further than St. Ann's Bay. |
| 1494-1655 |
| This period was the Spanish occupation of
Jamaica. Initially the Spanish used Jamaica merely to stock supplies,
it was not until 1510 that colonists arrived under the first governor.
The island was more agricultural and self-governing. Apart from
Spanish Town the capital most other towns were small settlements.
The Church played an important role during this period but it was
only a matter of time before someone would attempt to seize the
island. |
