By Damella Dalton

Observer Staff Member

(Nevis, Charlestown) - The Queen of the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis, was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The British then settled on St. Kitts- formerly St. Christopher - in 1623 and on Nevis in 1628.

After which the French settled on St. Kitts in 1627, an Anglo-French rivalry lasted for more than 100 years. After a decisive British victory over the French at Brimstone Hill in 1782, the islands came under permanent British control.

The islands, along with nearby Anguilla, were united in 1882. They joined the West Indies Federation in 1958 and remained in that association until its dissolution in 1962. St. Kitts–Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the United Kingdom in 1967. Anguilla seceded in 1980, and St. Kitts and Nevis gained independence on Sept. 19, 1983.

The road to independence was not smooth and as a young person I have heard many stories of the hard times this federation faced.

Although some of us were not even born at the time of independence, we young people still are glad at what has happened in the last 25 years.

I was given the opportunity to speak to the young people between the ages of 14 years to 19 years old on how they felt about the independence. Here are their responses:

Observer Q: Are you happy that St.kitts and Nevis became independent?

Respondent 1: Yes, I am happy because St. Kitts and Nevis became free to govern their own affairs and have their own rights n privileges

Observer Q: Do you think St. Kitts and Nevis made any progress since they became independent and what are those changes?

Respondent 1: I think they have made progress because compared to other islands we are economically advanced, that is, we have top hotels here (and other attractions) which brings money that helps to develop our country and our new roads airport, etc.

Observer Q: What would you like to see happen to St.kitts and Nevis in the next couple years?

Respondent 1: In a few years I would like to see Nevis run its own affairs but yet work along with the other Caricom countries in order to promote regional integration and stay competitive on the global market.

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Observer Q: Are you happy that St.kitts and Nevis became independent?

Respondent 2: Yes, because now we can supply and demand our goods for our country to survive

Observer Q: Do you think St. Kitts and Nevis made any progress since they became independent and what are those changes?

Respondent 2: Well, I would say because before we were suffering when we was depending on the U S and the other bigger nation to get what we want

Observer Q: What would you like to see happen to St. Kitts and Nevis in the next couple years?

Respondent 2: For all these high prices to drop to a better range and a better buildings and hotels to make our country more successful.

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Observer Q: Are you happy that St. Kitts and Nevis became independent?

Respondent 3: No, because I would like to see St. Kitts and Nevis separated and independent

Observer Q: Do you think St. Kitts and Nevis made any progress since they became independent and what are those changes?

Respondent 3: Yes, they did so by starting new schemes such as housing projects and the building and repair of the roads and also new schools.

Observer Q: What would you like to see happen to St. Kitts and Nevis in the next couple years?

Respondent 3: I would like to see St. Kitts and Nevis separated.

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Observer Q: Are you happy that St. Kitts and Nevis became independent?

Respondent 4: Yes because St. Kitts and Nevis don’t have to depend or rely on any country or ruled by any country.

Observer Q: Do you think St. Kitts and Nevis made any progress since they became independent and what are those changes?

Respondent 4: Yes they have improved by better road, improvement of the education system, more job opportunities, more decent homes are been provided.

Observer Q: What would you like to see happen to St. Kitts and Nevis in the next couple years?

Respondent 4: I would like to see the increase of technology and the decrease of crime and gang violence and everybody live in harmony.

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Observer Q: Are you happy that St. Kitts and Nevis became independent?

Respondent 5: Yes because they are not ruled by any fast developed country and the people are free to vote for whoever they want to see run the country.

Observer Q: Do you think St. Kitts and Nevis made any progress since they became independent and what are those changes?

Respondent 5: Yes they have improved by better roads, improvement of the education system.

Observer Q: What would you like to see happen to St. Kitts and Nevis in the next couple years?

Respondent 5: I would like to see the crimes and gang violence stopped and new things should be introduced.