1520   Vatican Globe marks island as ‘ Santa Lucia’ suggesting claim by Spain. Amerindians first called Island ‘louanalao’ (where iguana is found) then ‘Hiwanarau’ and later ‘Hewanoora’ 1639    First recorded European settlement (by Britain) 1642   Ceded to French West Indies company by King of France who claimed sovereignty 1814   Island changed hands fourteen times between Britain and France, finally becoming a British Colony 1838   Incorporated into  Windward Islands Federation 1951   Universal Adult Suffrage, George F.L. Charles, first Chief Minister 1958   Joined the West Indies Federation 1967   Associated Statehood with Britain (full internal self-government) within WISA 1979   Independence achieved, John Compton, first Prime Minister