Timeline: 1962 - 1969
1962 April 10, - A general election is held. The Jamaica Labour Party wins 26 seats, while the People's National Party wins the remaining 19 seats and Sir Alexander Bustamante becomes the first Prime Minister.
1962 August 6, – At midnight in the National Stadium, the Union Jack is lowered and in its place, the Jamaican flag is raised for the very first time signifying that Jamaica had become an independent nation.
1962 September 18, - Jamaica becomes a member of the United Nations.
1962 December 1, - Sir Kenneth Blackburne, last of the British Governors, who had become Governor-General on August 6, leaves the island.
1962 December 1, - Jamaica's first native Governor-General, Sir Clifford Campbell, G.C.M.G., takes up office.
1963 March 11, - The Hon Donald Sangster is appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
1963 November - Carol Joan Crawford is chosen "Miss World 1963". This is the first time that a Jamaican is awarded this title.
1963 November 10, - Marcus Garvey's body is returned to Jamaica. The following day he is declared the first National Hero. He is buried in the Marcus Garvey Memorial in King George VI Memorial Park, (now Heroes Park) Kingston, Jamaica.
1965 January - Jamaica becomes a member of the United Nations Human Rights Commission for the first time.
1965 June 20, - Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. address the valedictory service of graduating students of the University of the West Indies
1965 June 21, - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is presented with the Keys of the City of Kingston at a civil reception at the National Stadium.
1965 October 11, - The 100th anniversary of the Morant Bay Rebellion is celebrated and it is announced that in honour of Bogle, a son of St.Thomas, the town of Morant Bay would be raised to mayoral status.
1965 October 24, - A monument honouring Paul Bogle and George William Gordon is dedicated at the King George VI Memorial Park.
1966 April 21-24, - His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, arrives in Jamaica for a three-day state visit. H.I.M. Haile Selassie addresses members of both houses of the Jamaican Parliament and at a special ceremony at the University of the West Indies, receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
1966 August 4-13, 1 - Jamaica hosts the 8th British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1966 September - The Rt. Rev. Percival W. Gibson, C.B.E., D.D., the first Jamaican to be elevated to the office of Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, retires.
1967 February 23, - Following the retirement of Sir Alexander Bustamante, The Hon. Donald Sangster is sworn in as the second Prime Minister of Jamaica by then Governor-General Sir Clifford Campbell.
1967 April 11, - The Hon Donald Sangster dies in Canada. Her Majesty the Queen dubs him Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The Hon Hugh Lawson Shearer is sworn in as the third Prime Minister of Jamaica.
1968 August 1, - Jamaica officially becomes a member of CARIFTA, the forerunner to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
1968 December 10, 1968 - The Marcus Garvey Prize for Human Rights (£5000) is awarded posthumously to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
1969 February - Norman Washington Manley resigns as Leader of the Opposition and from the House of Representatives. His son, Michael, is elected leader of the People's National Party (PNP).
1969 September 2, - Normal Washington Manley dies. Five days later he is buried in the National Shrine of the King George VI Memorial Park.
1969 September 8, - Jamaica changes from pounds, shillings and pence to the Jamaican Dollar.
1969 October 20, - National Heroes Day is established.