The Amerindians

The first inhabitants probably migrated from Venezuela around 2500 BC

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Peter Stuyvesant

Director of the Dutch West India Company's colony of Curaçao from 1642 to 1644.

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Pedro Luis Brión

A Curaçao-born Venezuelan admiral.

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Tula

An independence fighter for the emancipation of the people

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Hensley
"Bam Bam"
Meulens

The first major leaguer to come from Curaçao

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Experience the modern & ancient historic past events, people and governments of Curaçao Experience the history of Curaçao
  • PreHistoric Period < 1499
  • Spanish Colonial Period 1499 - 1634
  • Dutch Colonial Period till Great Slave Revolt 1634 - 1795
  • Slave Revolt - Emancipation 1795 - 1863
  • Abolition of slavery - arrival of Shell oil company 1863 - 1918
  • Shell - end Colonial Period 1918 - 1954
  • Netherlands Antilles 1954 - 1969
  • Revolt May 69 - Status Aparte Aruba 1969 - 1986
  • Aruba's Status Aparte - end Neth. Antilles 1985 - 2010
  • Pais Kòrsou 2010 - Nowadays
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PreHistoric Period
< 1499
Spanish Colonial Period
1499 - 1634

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME CURAÇAO

The origin of the name Curaçao has been subject of discussion for centuries. Some of the theories are interesting and plausible. Others are complete nonsense, but rather funny.

Nowadays the historians agree upon the fact that the name of the island derives from a similar sounding word the native Indian inhabitants used to identify themselves.

Map from 1562, Curaçao is depicted as Qúracao.

Map from 1562, Curaçao is depicted as Qúracao.

Dutch Colonial Period till Great Slave Revolt
1634 - 1795
Slave Revolt - Emancipation
1795 - 1863
Abolition of slavery - arrival of Shell oil company
1863 - 1918
Shell - end Colonial Period
1918 - 1954
Netherlands Antilles
1954 - 1969
Revolt May 69 - Status Aparte Aruba
1969 - 1986
Aruba's Status Aparte - end Neth. Antilles
1985 - 2010
Pais Kòrsou
2010 - Nowadays