Tidbits About Jamaica

Do you know of other extraordinary fun tidbits about Jamaica? What about other accomplishments of Caribbean islands? If you do, please send them to [email protected] for us to share with the membership.

Fun Facts About Jamaica

Jamaica had electricity in 1892, long before most of the United States.

Falmouth had running water before New York City.

Jamaica had phone cards before the United States.

Their phone system was so sophisticated it was copied by AT&T.

Jamaica has the most "churches" per square mile of any country in the world, with over 1,600 "churches" all over Jamaica. Source: Guinness Book of World Records. That number is growing.

Jamaica was the first country in the Western world to construct a railway, even before the United States. This was only 18 years after Britain.

Although Haiti was the first Caribbean nation to gain independence in 1804 from France, Jamaica is the first Caribbean Country to gain Independence from the British West Indies colonies in 1962, resulting in the collapse of the West Indies Federation.

Jamaica is the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the Football (Soccer) World Cup. This was the 1998 championship.

The only countries to have won more Miss World titles than Jamaica are India, Venezuela and the UK, but considering the size of Jamaica, you have to say that this achievement is monumental.

On his second voyage to the New World in 1494, the tip of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica was the first land sighted by Christopher Columbus.

Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere.

Jamaica also was the first island in the Caribbean to produce rum on a commercial basis.

The Manchester Golf Club in Jamaica, established in 1868, is the oldest in the western hemisphere.

2006-2007: World Fastest man and woman were both Jamaicans (Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson)

2008/2009 - Olympic/World fastest man and woman were also both Jamaicans (Usain Bolt and Shelley-Ann Fraser )

Jamaica has more multiple (two or more) live births than anywhere else in the world.

Jamaica was the first country to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean.

Jamaica was the first Caribbean island to enact legislation, "The Motion Picture Industry (Encouragement) Act" to promote the making of films.

Jamaica is the first country to sign a Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant agreement.

Jamaica was the first tropical country to enter the IOC Winter Olympics. The bob sleigh team's efforts inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings’.

Jamaica was the first colony England acquired by conquest. This was in the year 1655 when the Spanish were driven from the island.

We have the second largest butterfly in the world (The Giant Swallowtail).

Another of the interesting facts on Jamaica is that it was the first British colonial territory to establish a postal service (in 1688).

Jamaica was the first Caricom country to liberalize the telecommunications sector. Since then, other Caricom countries have opened up to competition.

Interestingly, Jamaica was the first country in the Caribbean region to launch a web site, www.jamaicatravel.com, in 1994.

And of course, Jamaica is the birth place of reggae legend Robert ("Bob") Marley!

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March 1st, 2026

 

Greetings, CBTU Family: 

 

As Black History Month comes to a close, the work of celebrating, uplifting, and advancing Black history does not end for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). Black history is not confined to a single month; it lives in our communities, our workplaces, our struggles, and our victories every day of every year.

Over the past months, we have witnessed many inspiring moments across our movement. Black leaders have stepped forward to serve in new roles, some have retired after years of dedicated leadership, and others have begun new journeys that continue to shape our communities and labour movement. Each transition reflects the strength, resilience, and ongoing legacy of Black leadership within CBTU and beyond.

At the same time, our community has also experienced profound loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of CBTU Region One President Sharon Lovelady-Hall. Her leadership, commitment, and impact will be remembered and honoured throughout our organization.

We also send our heartfelt sympathies to all members of our CBTU family who have lost loved ones in recent weeks. Please know that you are not alone; our community stands with you.

The CBTU family remains rooted in solidarity and care. In moments of celebration and in times of grief, we continue to support one another. Together, we will keep building, organizing, and advancing the lives of Black people in our workplaces, our communities, and across the globe.

As we move forward, let us remain committed to the mission that unites us: empowerment, justice, and progress for Black workers everywhere.

CBTU 30 Years Logo

Greetings, CBTU Family:

November 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of our organization becoming a Chapter of the CBTU, and the beginning of our year of celebration! Please take a moment to read our Special 30th Anniversary Edition Chapter Newsletter, where we have highlighted to accomplishments of several of our dear chapter members.

On behalf of the Chapter's Executive Board, we wish you all safe, happy, and healthy season's greetings and look forward to seeing and celebrating with you at our General Membership Meeting December 16 at 6pm.

Dear CBTU chapter members,

We are 30! This year marks 30 years of being a chapter of the International CBTU. To celebrate our history and the contributions of our members towards the Canadian Labour Movement, past and present, we invite you all to a special CBTU General Membership Meeting on Tuesday, December 16 in the evening. Location TBD and will be included in our newsletter coming out within a week. Yes, of course there will be food, it wouldn't be a proper celebration without it☺️
We look forward to seeing you there!