History and Culture

History and Culture

Although he never set foot on the island, Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada in 1498 and named it Concepción. Spanish sailors following in his wake renamed it Granada, after the city in the hills of their homeland. Adapted to Grenade by French colonists, the transformation to Grenada was completed by the British in the 18th century.

Throughout the 17th century, Grenada was the scene of many bloody battles between indigenous Carib Indians and the French. Rather than surrender to the Europeans after losing their last battle in 1651, the Caribs committed mass suicide by leaping off a cliff—now called Carib's Leap or Leapers Hill—in Sauteurs, at the island's northern tip. The French were later overwhelmed by the British in 1762, the beginning of a seesaw of power between the two nations. By the Treaty of Versailles in 1783, Grenada was granted to the British and, almost immediately, thousands of African slaves were brought in to work the sugar plantations. Slavery in Grenada actually began with the French colonization in 1650 and was finally abolished in 1834.

Forts that the French began to protect St. George's Harbour during their colonization of Grenada were later completed and used by the British during theirs. Today, Ft. George and Ft. Frederick are two of the most visited sites in St. George's. Besides their historical interest, the two locations have magnificent views of the harbor, the capital city itself, and the distant mountains and countryside. Interestingly, not a single shot was fired from either fort for more than two centuries. Then in 1983, Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and several of his supporters were murdered at Ft. George by political foes who had split off from Bishop's party. That event triggered the request from Grenada's governor general and the heads of state of neighboring islands for U.S. troops to intervene, which they did on October 25, 1983.

From that time forward, Grenada's popularity as a vacation destination has increased each year, notwithstanding the temporary effects of Ivan, as travelers continue to seek friendly, exotic islands to visit. Nearly all hotels, resorts, and restaurants in Grenada are family-owned and run by people (mostly Grenadians) whose guests often become their friends. All Grenadians, in fact, have a well-deserved reputation for their friendliness, hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit. You can be sure you'll be "enjoyin' it" when you visit Grenada.