1620: The Dutch West India Company establishes armed bases in Guyana and brings African slaves to work on its sugar plantations.

1780–1813: Guyana changes hands between the Dutch, French and British.

1831: Guyana officially becomes a British colony.

1834: Guyana abolishes slavery. Many slaves leave plantations to set up on their own land, and are replaced by indentured workers from India.

1879: Gold is discovered in Guyana, sparking an economic boom.

1948: The Enmore Tragedy occurs, with an attack against militant sugarcane workers.

1953: The country’s first free elections are held, and Cheddi Jagan becomes chief minister. Britain suspends Guyana’s constitution and installs an interim administration, ousting the Jagans from power.

The Jim Jones massacre of 1978 President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo

1957: Guyanese constitution is restored. The PPP splits along racial lines: the Jagans lead a mostly Indian party and Forbes Burnham establishes the People’s National Congress (PNC), with mostly African Guyanese.

1964: Racial strife and violent riots occur, the “reign of terror” leaves thousands dead, injured and homeless.

1966: Guyana becomes independent from British rule, with Forbes Burnham as prime minister.

1978: Nine hundred members of a religious sect led by Jim Jones commit mass suicide in Jonestown.

1985: Desmond Hoyte of the PNC becomes president after Burnham dies. The economy begins to deteriorate.

1992: Cheddi Jagan becomes president in the country’s first free elections since 1966.

1997: Janet Jagan becomes president after Cheddi’s death.

1998: State of emergency declared after riots occur against the PPP.

1999: Janet Jagan resigns from presidency for health reasons and is replaced by Bharrat Jagdeo.