1965
The first issue of the Caymanian Weekly is published on 6 Oct., with a front page report of a meeting of the Legislative Assembly. The front page photograph is of Miss Cayman 1965 Helen Thompson.
The Lobster Pot restaurant is established in Grand Cayman.
1966
Landmark legislation is introduced to encourage the banking industry in the Cayman Islands.
Caribbean Utilities Company takes over the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power on Grand Cayman and Cable & Wireless launches the first telephone service on the island.
The Cayman Islands Tourist Board is formed. It was established after a meeting organised by then-administrator John A. Cumber, who recognised the need for more focused tourism promotion. Eric Bergstrom, along with other hoteliers, played a key role in its formation and early operations.
1968
Cayman Airways is established. It was formed following the Cayman Islands Government’s purchase of 51% of Cayman Brac Airways from LACSA (the Costa Rican flag carrier) and became wholly government-owned in December 1977.
1969
Grand Old House restaurant opens in the former 1908 plantation great house in South Sound.
1970
Cayman has a population of 10,249 residents and records tourist arrivals of 403.
1972
A new constitution is introduced, under which Cayman is governed by the Legislative Assembly, Executive Council and a governor.
Cayman introduces its own currency.
The census reports the population of the Cayman Islands is 16,677.
1974
Thomas Russell is appointed Governor of the Cayman Islands. His term was extended three times, making him the longest serving governor in the territory’s history, holding the position from 1974 to 1981.
1975
The Grand Court is established.
1977
The inaugural pirate themed festival is launched in October, initiated by politician Jim Bodden to boost tourism during the off-season. The groundbreaking festival was met with overwhelming success, marking the birth of Pirates Week.
1981
Northward Prison opens.
1983
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits the Cayman Islands for the first time.
Cayman Carnival Batabano is launched by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman.
1985
The Economics and Statistics Office reports the population of the Cayman Islands is 21,104.
1987
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands Law is passed and the trust begins operation the following year.
1988
Hurricane Gilbert strikes on 13 Sept., causing severe damage to crops, pastures, trees and some homes.
1989
The Economics and Statistics Office reports the population of the Cayman Islands is 25,355.
1990
The Economics and Statistics Office records Cayman’s population at 26,969.
1991
Mrs. Sybil McLaughlin becomes the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
1997
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority begins operating and the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange opens.
1999
The census reports the population of the Cayman Islands is 39,600.
2000
The census reports the population of the Cayman Islands is 40,800.
Cayman welcomes more than 354,000 stayover tourists and more than 1 million cruise ship passengers.
2003
Cabinet grants Caymanian status to around 3,000 residents, mostly long-term ex-pats, a move that sparked controversy on island.
Cayman’s population at the time is 44,144.
2004
Hurricane Ivan hits the islands in September, causing massive devastation. The storm ravaged Grand Cayman for 36 hours with Category 5 winds. There were two deaths and CI$2.8 billion in damage.
2005
The Caymanian Compass marks its 40-year anniversary. Former Governor John Owen (1995- 1999) is in attendance at the celebrations.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman officially opens its doors to the public on 16 Dec. The grand opening event, which included a performance by Sheryl Crow, took place on 7 Jan. 2006.
2006
The Turtle Farm is redeveloped and turned into a major tourism attraction dubbed Boatswain Bay, later renamed the Cayman Turtle Centre.
2009
The current constitution is adopted, replacing the 1972 constitution. McKeeva Bush is sworn in as the first Premier of the Cayman Islands, and Donovan Ebanks as the first Deputy Governor of the Cayman Islands.
2007
The legendary Durty Reid’s Grill and Bar in Red Bay Plaza is torn down. Owner Reid Dennis operated the bar in that location for 31 years. He relocated it to Pedro St. James that same year but this location closed in late 2008.
2008
Hurricane Paloma hits Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on 8 Nov., with 140 mph winds resulting in extensive property damage and some injuries.
2010
The Caymanian Compass celebrates its 45th anniversary.
2012
Juliana O’Connor-Connolly is appointed the first female Premier of the Cayman Islands.
2015
The Cayman Compass celebrates its 50th anniversary.
More than 2.1 million tourists visit the islands by air and cruise ship.
2016
The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa opens in November.
2018
Sunset House celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2019
Cayman welcomes a record-breaking number of tourists, both stayover and cruise passengers, of more than 2.3 million.
2020
Following amendments to the 2009 Constitution, the Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands is renamed the Parliament of the Cayman Islands.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake on 28 Jan. impacts all three islands. While there was minimal damage to buildings, several sinkholes appeared, most on Grand Cayman. Pipelines across Grand Cayman are also damaged, leading to many homes being left without water, for days in some cases.
The COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the island, with its borders remaining closed until late 2021. The airport did not fully reopen until January 2022, and the first cruise ships did not return until March 2022.
2024
The first Hotel Indigo in the Caribbean opens on Grand Cayman.
2025
In the first quarter of the year, the island sees a 5.3% increase in stayover tourism (144,395 visitors) while cruise arrivals jumped by 12.1% (448,256 visitors) compared to the same period in 2024.
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocks the Cayman Islands on 8 Feb., triggering a tsunami alert.
The Cayman Compass celebrates the 60th anniversary of the national newspaper of record being founded.
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