1638   First recorded European settlement established 1798   Following victory over Spain in battle of St. George’s Cay, British rule confirmed 1862   Country officially became British colony known as British Honduras 1871   Crown colony system introduced. Ruled by Governor of Jamaica until 1884 1954   Universal Adult Suffrage 1973   Name changed to Belize after Mayan word ‘Beliz’, meaning muddy waters 1981Independence achieved. George Price, first Prime Ministe