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Belize

History

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• Wikipedia's History of Belize
• The Early History of Belize
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• globalEDGE's Belize: History

History

"The first recorded European settlement was begun by shipwrecked English seamen in 1638. Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. This period was also marked by piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements. Both Spain and Britain lay claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the battle of St. George's Cay in 1798. It became a colony of Great Britain in 1840, known as British Honduras, and a Crown colony in 1862. Full internal self-government was granted in Jan. 1964. In 1973, the country changed its name to Belize. Belize became independent on Sept. 21, 1981.
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Timeline

1638 - The first recorded European settlement was established by shipwrecked English seamen Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established
1840 - Belize was formally termed the Colony of British Honduras
1862 - Belize became a crown colony in 1862
1973 - The official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize
1981 - Full independence was granted on 21 September