Grenada Dove - Grenada

Cristobal Colón saw and named the island of Grenada on his 3rd voyage to the Americas; he named it “Concepción.” Fierce attacks from the Caribs, the native inhabitants, prevented a landing or the establishment of a permanent settlement. It took 150 years for the Europeans to subdue the native population and colonize the island

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Leptotila wellsi - The Grenada dove is endemic to Grenada and is in danger of becoming extinct. Fewer than 100 individuals are estimated to exist in the wild. The combination of the Grenada dove being a shy animal and the low population contribute to a lack of in-depth studies of the bird’s breeding and feeding habits. Any disturbance to nesting sites results in the abandonment of the nest. The doves dedicate most of their time forging on the ground searching of seeds, but have been observed eating the fruit from papaya trees.

Nutmeg - Grenada

Myristica fragrans - The nutmeg tree is an evergreen growing to 21 meters. It does not bear fruit until the 7th year. The nutmeg spice is derived from the inner part of the tree’s brown seeds. The bright-red membrane partly covering the seed produces mace, a fragrant resin. Until the 19th century, the source for the coveted nutmeg spice was limited to Indonesia’s Banda Islands. Indonesia remains the primary producer of this spice, but Grenada ranks 2nd in nutmeg production.

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The French were the first to gain control of Grenada. A party of 203 men, led by Governor Jacques Dyel du Parquet of Martinique, arrived in 1649, built a fortified settlement at Fort Annunciation, and began the process of establishing a thriving sugar and indigo industry. In 1674, Grenada, having been held by chartered French companies since 1649, officially became a French colony. The French lost Grenada to the British in 1762, during the Seven Years War. Grenada became an independent country in 1974.

Historical Flags of the Americas

Prior to independence, the Dutch colony of Suriname adopted its own flag in 1959. The five connected stars represented the five primary ethnic groups of Suriname. The flag was changed to the current design when independence was granted in 1975. As a British colony, Grenada had used the Union Jack in its flag design. The pattern changed when a new flag depicting a nutmeg was hoisted and used from 1967 until 1974. Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared himself Emperor Jacques I in 1804 and created the Empire of Haiti. His assassination in 1806 brought an end to the short-lived empire. Dom Pedro I founded the Empire of Brazil in 1822 and was succeeded by his son Dom Pedro II in 1831. Dom Pedro II reigned for 58 years. The flag featured 19 stars to represent the 19 Brazilian states. Another star was added in 1870. The flag and empire were replaced in 1889 by a republican form of government.