Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Prohibition in the United States turns the Bahamas into a rum-runners haven,
particularly Bimini and the West End area of Grand Bahama, both just a hop,
skip and jump from Florida.
1955
The Hawksbill Creek Agreement establishes the city of Freeport, and heretofore
undeveloped Grand Bahama is soon dotted with mid-century modern hotels and
casinos, a hit with Rat Pack-era jetsetters.
1958
Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park becomes the first marine fishery reserve in the
world. Its pristine waters and beaches are still a haven for vacationers.
1959
Pan Am airlines founder Juan Tripp opens the swanky Cotton Bay Club on
Eleuthera, turning the island into a jet-set destination.
1962
Women gain the right to vote. Half a century later, though, women still don't
have the same legal protections as men - they can't confer citizenship on their
children, and marital rape remains legal.
1965
Category 4 Hurricane Betsy slams into Abaco and New Providence, raging
above the city of Nassau for three hours and doing so much damage it became
known as 'Billion-Dollar Betsy.'
1967
The Bay Street Boys, a group of rich, white businessmen who've controlled the
economic and political scene for decades, are toppled by the election of the
Afro-Bahamian-led Progressive Liberal Party.
1973
The country achieves independence from Great Britain and becomes the Com-
monwealth of the Bahamas. Lynden Pindling, already Prime Minister, is con-
sidered the 'Father of the Nation.'
1998
