The island nation of Jamaica celebrates Independence Day from Great Britain every year on August 6.

In 1494, Christopher Columbus set foot on the land of Jamaica in search of gold, which the Indians from the neighboring islands told him about. So from the beginning of the 16th century. Spain began to conquer the territory of the country.

By 1513, the local population was completely destroyed due to hard work and diseases introduced by foreigners. In this regard, African slaves were brought to the island to work on sugar plantations.

In the middle of the 17th century, Jamaica was captured by the British and for 15 years they expelled the Spaniards from the country, consolidating their power in 1670 by officially recognizing the island as their colony. At this time, Jamaica became famous as a pirate island and the main point of the slave trade.

Dissatisfaction with working conditions caused numerous uprisings of blacks. The government was forced to abolish slavery in 1834. This became a sure impetus to the struggle for independence.

In 1958, Great Britain created the West Indies Federation, which included Jamaica. But three years later, in a referendum, the population of the island voted to leave the British control.

At the beginning of 1962, a new Constitution was approved. On August 6, 1962, the day after the official raising of the national flag, Jamaica was declared a sovereign state and became a member of the British Commonwealth. Among the Caribbean countries, Jamaica was the first to gain independence.