Dates in the History

 

From the end of the 16th century until 1730, the Seychelles remained the secret hiding place for pirates.

 

1742  The first French exploratory expedition led by Lazare Picault and Grossin; commissioned by the Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de la Bourdonnais.

1756  French occupation by Captain Nicolas Morphey. The islands were named after King Louis XV chancellor Jean Moreau de Sechelles.

1770  The first 20 or so inhabitants arrived on the island of St. Anne, from the French colony of Mauritius.

1772  The second group of inhabitants arrived at the beach of Anse Royale, on Mahe.

1778  A new group of inhabitants arrived, and built their homes in the place where today Victoria stands, the foundation stone for Victoria was placed.

1785  70 white European men inhabited the islands, along with their 500 slaves.                    

1794  Chevalier Jean Baptise Queau de Quinssy became Governor of the Seychelles.                         

1794-1811  Sovereignty of the islands fluctuated between England and France, several times.

1835  England abolished slavery on the islands, granting 4000 slaves their freedom.

1893  The first telegraph cable was laid, between Mahe and Sansibar.

1903  The Seychelles broke away from the Mauritius colony, and became a separate colony under British rule.

1972  Opening of the International Airport, built by the Queen of England.

1976  On 29th June 1996, the Seychelles became an Independent republic.

1977  Albert Rene seized power in the coup d’etat.

1982/83  The atoll of Aldabra and Vallee de Mai were included in the list of World Heritage sites.

1993  The Republic of the Seychelles turned into a multiparty state, and Albert Rene was democratically voted President, having been in office since 1977. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.

1994  The Republic of the Seychelles had a population of approximately 70,000 people.

2004  Mr James Michel was made the 3rd president of the Seychelles