As we approach the 52nd Independence Day, we wish all the people of Trinidad and Tobago a safe and joyous time with family and loved ones. When Trinidad was explored by Columbus in 1498, it was inhabited by the Arawaks;Carib Indians inhabited Tobago.Trinidad remained in Spanish possession, despite raids by other European nations, until it was ceded to Britain in 1802.Tobago passed between Britain and France several times, but it was ultimately given to Britain in 1814. Slavery was abolished in 1834. 

Between 1845 and 1917, thousands of indentured workers were brought from India to work on sugarcane plantations. In 1889 Trinidad and Tobago were made a single colony.

Partial self-government was instituted in 1925, and from 1958 to 1962 the nation was part of the West Indies Federation. On Aug. 31, 1962, it gained independence and on Aug. 1, 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic, remaining within the Commonwealth.

Trinidad and Tobago has given the world many gifts from its sun drenched tropical shores…the gift of the steelpan, the only musical instrument invented in the 20th century; our world famous carnival; the music genres of calypso, soca, chutney and chutney soca; the limbo dance; Brian Lara, one of the greatest batsmen the sport of cricket has ever seen; many brilliant minds such as Eric Williams and Rudranath Capildeo, and of course two Miss Universe and one Miss World beauties. Not bad for a tiny nation such as ours, less than 2,000 square miles with a population of just 1.3 million.