• The first recorded European settlement is established by shipwrecked English seamen, although the area had been claimed by Spain. Over the next 150 years, more English settlements are built.

  • Belize is officially declared a crown colony called British Honduras.
  • The Belizean economy is hit by the Great Depression. Additionally, Belize City is largely destroyed by a Hurricane.

  • A new constitution gives Belize full internal self-government.

  • The country changes its name from British Honduras to Belize.
  • Belize declares complete independence from Britain.
  • Belize begins commercial exploitation of its oil reserves.

  • Belize's credit rating is reduced to “selective” default by ratings agency Standard and Poor's.

  • Prime Minister Barrow leads the United Democratic Party to a third consecutive term in a snap election.

  • Belize and Guatemala submit initial briefs on their ongoing border dispute to the International Court of Justice.

Sources:

BBC News open_in_new
Britannica open_in_new