What Happened in May
1693 No executioner available to carry out the sentence on three mutineers. One of the mutineers is spared, so he can execute the other two.
1705 Two burglars are whipped then sent to Borneo where workers are needed.
1716 Men named French and Wrangham figure in reports of fights and arguments.
1719 The parsons negligence of funeral duties causes the governor to order no gratuities to be paid without his signature.
1725 Furze is planted to mark planters boundaries. Destined to become another invasive species.
1741 Governor Jenkins arrives to take up office. His house is still at Lemon Grove, Sandy Bay.
1771 Captain Cook makes his first visit to St Helena.
1778 Three soldiers desert and leave the island in a cutter. They are presumed to be drowned at sea.
1785 A munitions store near the Castle is accidentally blown up. Two people are killed.
1797 Decision taken to fortify Ladder Hill on the land side – to withstand any possible siege.
1810 A fleet of 22 East Indiamen arrive in James Bay.
1828 Governor Dallas orders the munitions store to be moved out of Jamestown to Ladder Hill.
1839 Slavery is abolished in St Helena.
1843 A market is established in Jamestown on its present site.
1861 First publication of the St Helena Guardian.
1863 A severe influenza epidemic. People fed from soup kitchens.
1870 300 poor people attend a public meeting and tell the government they wish to emigrate.
1875 Publication of St Helena by JC Melliss.
1882 A theatre is opened in Jamestown barracks.
1887 A serious measles outbreak makes the hospital seem like the London Underground rush hour.
1892 Experiment in breeding silkworms and cotton cultivation by Rev. Daine.
1900 Severe epidemic of influenza causes 75 deaths.
1907 183 St Helenians emigrate to work at the Namaqualand mines.
1910 The Eastern Telegraph Co. [Cable & Wireless] transfer their cable repair vessels to St Helena.
1921 The former Sultan of Zanzibar leaves St Helena on the Cawdor Castle as a prisoner.
1922 The St Helena Football League is formed.
1928 Repairs started to Plantation House after destruction by white ants make it uninhabitable.
1932 The Run bursts its banks causing widespread flooding.
1940 Formation of the St Helena Home Guard.
1945 Victory Sports Day on Francis Plain.
1951 The foundation stone is laid for St Helena and the Cross church.
1960 The St Helena Life Boat Life Saving Institution is formed.
1963 First ever registration of electors begins.
1971 St Martin in the Hills is dedicated.
1973 St Helena suffers from a severe drought.
1980 The St. Helena Heritage Society open the Broadway House museum.
1982 The RMS St Helena is requisitioned for use by the British Task Force in the Falklands.
1983 The first carnival is held on the island.
1986 2,863 people sign a citizenship petition to be sent to the President of the European Parliament.
1987 The three day work scheme is started.
1990 The Market is re-opened after refurbishment.
1991 Nineteen survivors of a Saudi Arabian oil tanker explosion arrive on the island.
1993 St Helena Day celebrations includes sealing a time capsule to be opened in 2193.
1994 Reservoir at Harpers valley becomes operational.
1996 The chapel at Ruperts Valley is dedicated.
Acknowledgement is due to St Helena Heritage Societys St Helena 500 compiled by Robin Gill & Percy Teale