Anguilla is first colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts, beginning in 1650.

The island is administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when – against the wishes of the inhabitants – it is incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis.

After a brief period as a self-declared independent republic in 1969 it becomes a separate British dependency (now termed a British overseas territory) in 1980.