2012 – Robust foreign investment since 1990 has made Trinidad and Tobago the Western Hemisphere’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas and one of CARICOM’s largest and most industrialized economies. The economy has doubled since 2002, with hydrocarbons accounting for more than 40 percent of GDP and 80 percent of exports.

2012 – European Union Council on Tourism and Trade (EUCTT)has also awarded the nation as being “The Best Tourist Destination for 2012″. Local hotels have already began to make plans to facilitate an influx of European tourists upon the nation receiving the prestigious designation

2012 Trinidad and Tobago celebrate 50 years of Independence.

2011 – In November 2011, the OECD removed Trinidad and Tobago from its list of Developing Countries. Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses and has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes in Latin America. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean and is listed in the top 66 High Income countries in the world. In the Caribbean, it’s the one of the richest countries, with a per capita GDP of USD $28,400 (2009).

2011 – Anya Ayoung-Chee wins 9th Season of Project Runway.

2011 - August – A State of Emergency is imposed, with an overnight curfew in six crime “hotspots” following a spike in violent crimes.

2010 – Heather Headley won a Grammy Award for Jesus is Love adding to her Tony Award (2000).

2010 – People’s Partnership Coalition wins the general elections making Kamla Persad-Bissessar the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

2009 – The Organization of American States gathered in Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas and attended by President Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States of America.

2008 – Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago won the silver medal in the men’s 100 meters at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

2007 - November – The governing People’s National Movement is re-elected.

2006 – Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the first time for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

2004 – George Bovell won a bronze medal in the men’s 200 IM winning the first Olympic swimming medal for Trinidad and Tobago.

2004 – Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in a cricket test innings after scoring 400 not out against England.

2003 - March – President Maxwell Richards is sworn in after being elected by Members of Parliament in February.

2002 - October – The third general election in three years end months of political deadlock. Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s ruling People’s National Movement declares victory.

2002 – April – Prime Minister Patrick Manning requests that Parliament be suspended amid continuing stalemate over the tied election results.

2001 – December – General election yields an unprecedented tie, with the governing party and main opposition winning 18 seats each.

2000 - Basdeo Panday wins another term in the general elections.

1998 – Wendy Fitzwilliam becomes the second woman from Trinidad and Tobago and the third woman of African ancestry to capture the Miss Universe crown.

1996 – Ato Boldon won 2 medals in the Summer Olympic in Atlanta and 2 more in the Summer Olympics in Sydney. Only 2 other men in history have won as many medals in and individual sprint event.

1995 - United National Congress (UNC) and the National Alliance for Reconstruction form a coalition with Basdeo Panday as the Prime Minister.

1991 - Patrick Manning becomes Prime Minister after the Peoples Nation Movement party wins the general election.

1990 - More than 100 Islamist radicals blow up the police headquarters, seize the parliament building and held Prime Minister Arthur N. R. Robinson and other government officials hostage for several days in an abortive coup attempt. On August 1st, dozens of Muslim militants surrendered and freed 42 hostages they had seized six days earlier in a failed bid to overthrow the government. Jamaat al Muslimeen, a Trinidadian radical Muslim group led by Yasin Abu Bakr (formerly Lennox Phillip), launched the unsuccessful rebellion that left 24 dead.

1989   -  THE PITCH LAKE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO In November 1989 a small scale gravity survey was performed on the Pitch Lake or Asphalt Lake of Trinidad and Tobago. The objectives were: (i) to determine the geometry and depth of the asphalt lake, (ii) to determine from density contrasts, the type of rock beneath the Asphalt Lake, and (iii) to determine the possible source or sources of asphalt in the lake. Forty three gravity stations were recorded along roads in the vicinity of the lake, and fifty four gravity stations were recorded along two profiles across the lake. The data was processed and modeled at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela. There have been countless theories, postulations and conclusions as to the size, source and origin of the asphalt. The Asphalt Lake is at present an oval, lake-like outcrop composed of an oil, clay and water (mud) mixture.

1988 – The Uriah Butler Highway, sometimes referred to as UBH, is one of the major north-south highways in Trinidad and Tobago, named after Tubal Uriah Butler. It runs from Champs Fleur to Chaguanas where it meets the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway. It crosses the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway at Valsayn. The highway was originally named the Princess Margaret Highway and was constructed in 1958. It was extended and renamed for labour leader Tubal Uriah Butler in 1988.

1987 - Noor Hassanali becomes President.

1986 Machel Montano was the youngest finalist to ever win the Caribbean Song Festival. In 2012 he won the Groovy International Soca Monarch and Road March King. Video link :  

1986 – Tobago based National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) headed by Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson wins the general election becoming the first person from Tobago to be Prime Minister.

1981        Trinidad and Tobago opens a stock exchange.

1981 - Agriculture Minister George Chambers becomes Prime Minister following the death of Dr. Eric E. Williams.

1977 – Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Penny Commissiong of Trinidad and Tobago became the first person of African ancestry and from the Caribbean to win the title of Miss Universe.

1976 – At the Summer Olympics in Montreal Hasely Crawford won the 100 metre sprint, and became the first Olympic Gold medalist for Trinidad and Tobago.  He was also the first person from the Caribbean to achieve the title of the fastest man in the world.

1976 - Trinidad and Tobago becomes a Republic with the former Governor General, Sir Ellis Clarke, as President and Dr. Eric E. Williams as Prime Minister.

1974 – Garfield Blackman (d.2000 at 59), aka Lord Shorty and Ras Shorty I, composed his first Soca song “Endless Vibrations.” They fused calypso and up-tempo rhythms to create the Soca beat.

1972 – The State of Emergency is lifted.

1970 – Government declares a state of emergency after violent protests by “Black Power” supporters who demand a solution to unemployment, poverty and an end to foreign influence over the economy.

1968 – Trinidad and Tobago and other English-speaking Caribbean states form the Caribbean Free Trade Area, which was replaced in 1973 by the Caribbean Common Market.

1967 – Trinidad and Tobago joins the Organization of American States.

1962 – Trinidad and Tobago leaves the West Indies Federation; becomes independent with Williams as Prime Minister. (Video of Dr. Eric Williams) Video link: video of Dr. Eric Williams speech on 1st anniversary of independence.