CABO VERDE
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
2021
The Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center, Inc., established in 2019 opens its first exhibit titled "Nana's Kitchen" at the Emerald House in East Falmouth to educate residents and visitors of the rich culture and customs of Cabo Verde and the greater Lusophone community.
2020
The Republic of Cabo Verde celebrates 45 years of independence.
1995
In honor of its 20th year of independence, Cape Verde is one of four countries celebrated at the Festival of American Folklife, Smithsonian Mall, Washington, D.C.
1982
The United States welcomes the "gift" from the Republic of Cape Verde as the Schooner Ernestina returns to America, her last trans-Atlantic voyage. Schooner Ernestina, Morrissey is the Official Vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1975
Cape Verde gains independence from Portugal on July 5.
Aristides Pereira becomes President
1973
Amilcar Cabral, considered the father of Cape Verde's independence, was assassinated on January 20.
1956
"The founding of the PAI coincided with the opening session of the First International Conference of Negro writers and Artists (19-22 September, 1956) cosponsored by the journal Presence africaine and held at the University Paris-Sorbonne..."
1950's
Schooner Ernestina began serving as a packet trade ship owned and captained by Henrique Mendes bringing goods and passengers to and from Cape Verde.
1944
The Cape Verdean Club of Falmouth a/k/a The Big Club, was established. It is reported to be one of the oldest, continuously running Cape Verdean clubs of its kind in the United States.
1924
Amilcar Lopes Cabral "was born in Guinea-Bissau of parents from Santiago, Cabo Verde. Born September 12, 1924 in Bafata, Portuguese Guinea
1921
Film "Down to the Sea In Ships" shows some of the earliest documents photos of Cape Verdean Whalers
1900
Population in Cape Verde is estimated at 147,000 as a three-year drought begins killing 16,000 people - or 17 percent of the population.
1899
Contract labor is allowed due to Portuguese regulations; many Cape Verdeans are "contracted" off the islands, especially to Sao Tome and Principe.
1892
Cape Verde becomes an "autonomous district" of Portugal.
1883-1886
The lack of rain (Tchuba) causes draught, famine and a high death toll, which results in a general crisis on the islands and another wave of emigration.
1869
Slavery is abolished by the Portuguese empire. The Cape Verde sea traffic is diverted to then newly open Suez Canal.
1824
A Nantucket, Massachusetts resident becomes the first-known Cape Verdean immigrant to obtain naturalized American citizenship.
1818
On December 3rd, Samuel Hodges of Massachusetts arrives in the archipelago to serve as the first American Consul to the Cape Verde Islands.
1687
(Jewish) Cape Verdeans are banned from selling panos to foreigners, who used them in the slave trade. (January 23rd)
1680
An eruption of the volcano in Fogo causes refugees to settle in Brava.
Date unknown
The information on this inscribed Rock in Santo Antao has yet to be deciphered and century determined.
1498
July 31st, Christopher Columbus arrived at the Cape Verde Islands near Trinidad.
1462
Portuguese settlers arrived at Santiago and founded Ribeira Grande (now Cidade Velha), the first permanent European city in the tropics. In the 16th century, the archipelago prospered from the transatlantic slave trade.
1455 -1456
Antonio de Noli from Genoa and Diogo Alfonso from Portugal were probably the first Europeans to reach some of the Cape Verde Islands. The other islands were discovered in the late 1450's to early 1460's.