In 1492, Christopher Columbus made his initial landing in the New World on the island of San Salvador, which is located in the Eastern Bahamas. However, Columbus was not the only one intrigued by this mass of small islands. Because of its close proximity to Florida, explorers, pirates, loyalists and traders invaded the islands and thus shaped the history and culture of the Bahamas.

The tourism industry also played a major role in shaping the history of the Bahamas. Tourism began and prospered in the mid-19th century when the Prohibition brought American tourists to the islands. However, the end of the Prohibition brought fewer visitors to the islands until 1961 when Cuba closed its land to Americans. Once again the Bahamas capitalized on its close proximity to Florida by opening hotels and harbors for cruise ships.

This increase in tourism that began in the ’60s provided the Bahamas with a stable economy and situation for independence. After a limited self-government in conjunction with Great Britain, the Bahamas became an independent nation on July 10, 1973.