History of Grenada
Grenada was inhabited by Carib and Arawak Indians when it was discovered by Columbus in 1498. The island belonged to France from 1650 until 1763, when it was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris. The French recaptured the island in 1779, but it was restored to Britain in 1783 and became a crown colony. In 1967 Grenada and the southern Grenadines were made a self-governing state in association with Britain. Independence was granted in 1974. Sir Eric Gairy was the nation's first prime minister. His rule became increasingly authoritarian, and in 1979 his government was overthrown by leftists who set up a Marxist regime under Maurice Bishop. In 1983 Bishop was killed by extremists within the government. Soon after, the United States invaded the island and overthrew its leftist government. A provisional government ruled until 1984, when elections were held and Grenada again became a parliamentary democracy.