1498       Arrival of Columbus on island known to Amerindians as `Iere” (land of the Humming Bird). Renamed Trinidad by Columbus for the three hills sighted from the sea; Tobago also sighted by Columbus; name derived from corruption of word `tobacco’ planted by Amerindians on island 1592       First European settlement by Spain 1783       Spain grants permission to French-speaking Roman Catholics to settle 1797       Captured by Britain from Spain 1802       Tobago finally ceded to Britain by France 1888       Administrative union of Tobago and Trinidad 1937       Violent labour unrest leads to several deaths 1958       Joined West Indies Federation 1962       Independence achieved. Dr. Eric Williams, first Prime Minister 1970       Black power demonstrations and army mutiny 1976       Republican Status, Sir Ellis Clarke, first President 1990       Attempted coup foiled