Here are some of important dates in Bermuda's 400-year history.

1503 or 1511 Spanish captain, Juan de Bermudez, spots the Islands which are eventually named after him.

1609 Sir George Somers and the crew of Sea Venture are shipwrecked near St. George's on their way to Jamestown, Virginia, to take supplies to the colonists.

1616 Two slaves, one black and one Indian, arrive from the West Indies to dive for pearls.

1620 The first Bermuda Parliament convenes in St. Peter's Church.

1684 The British Government takes control from the Bermuda Company and the Island becomes a British Colony.

1730s The Island's first newspaper, Bermuda Gazette is published.

1815 Bermuda's capital is moved from St. George's to Hamilton.

1834 Abolition of slavery.

1883 Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, comes to Bermuda. Her visit helps to promote the Island as a tourist destination.

1885 The Princess Hotel in Hamilton opens.

1894 The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is established.

1904 Sees the introduction of electricity.

1946 Sees the general use of cars and establishment of the first broadcasting station.

1959 Blacks boycott movie theatres forcing the owners to end segregation.

1963 The Progressive Labour Party, Bermuda's first political party, is formed out of the black labour movement.

1964 The United Bermuda Party is formed to represent whites and businesses.

1968 The first election under a new constitution giving universal adult suffrage is held and the United Bermuda Party wins.

1973 The Governor Sir Richard Sharples is assassinated, along with his aide-de-camp.

1977 Erskine Burrows was found guilty of Sir Richard's assassination and hanged.

1997 Pamela Gordon is appointed Premier by her United Bermuda Party colleagues, becoming the first woman to hold this position.

1998 The Progressive Labour Party wins its first general election, marking the first change in Government since the establishment of party politics thirty years ago with Jennifer Smith becoming the first female leader to be elected as Premier.