Although Christopher Columbus sighted and named this island in 1493, it was not until 1632 that a group of Englishmen from St. Kitts established a settlement upon Antigua. Fifty-two years later, in the year 1684, Christopher Codrington arrived upon the island’s settlement in hope of developing a large-scale sugar cultivation. As a result, the island entered into an era of vast sugar cultivation and prospering economy.

However, by the 19th century the sugar industry of Antigua began to decline. In fact, it has not been until the development of tourism within the past few decades that the people of Antigua have been released from a state of poverty.

Due to the rise in tourism and an improved economy, Antigua and its neighboring islands, Barbuda and Redonda, became an associated commonwealth. However, in 1981 Antigua received its complete independence from Britain and elected their Prime Minister.