<P> Independence was granted on 7 February 1974, under the leadership of Eric Gairy, who became the first Prime Minister of Grenada . In March 1979, the Marxist--Leninist New Jewel Movement overthrew Gairy's government in a coup d'état and established the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG), headed by Maurice Bishop as Prime Minister . On 19 October 1983, hard - line Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard and his wife Phyllis, backed by the Grenadian Army, led a coup against the government of Maurice Bishop and placed Bishop under house arrest . Bishop was later freed by popular demonstration and attempted to resume power, but he was captured and executed by soldiers . On 25 October 1983, forces from the United States and the Barbados - based Regional Security System (RSS) invaded Grenada in a U.S. - led operation code - named Operation Urgent Fury . The invasion was highly criticised by the governments of Britain, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada, along with the United Nations General Assembly . Elections were held in December 1984 and were won by the Grenada National Party under Herbert Blaize, who served as Prime Minister until his death in December 1989 . </P> <P> On 7 September 2004, after being hurricane - free for 49 years, the island was directly hit by Hurricane Ivan, which damaged or destroyed 90% of the island's homes . On 14 July 2005, Hurricane Emily struck the northern part of the island causing an estimated USD $110 million (EC $297 million) worth of damage . </P> <P> The origin of the name "Grenada" is obscure, but it is likely that Spanish sailors renamed the island for the city of Granada . By the beginning of the 18th century, the name "Grenada", or "la Grenade" in French, was in common use . </P> <P> On his third voyage to the region in 1498, Christopher Columbus sighted Grenada and named it "La Concepción" in honour of the Virgin Mary . It is said that he may have actually named it "Assumpción", but it is uncertain, as he is said to have sighted what are now Grenada and Tobago from a distance and named them both at the same time . However, history has accepted that it was Tobago he named "Assumpción" and Grenada he named "La Concepción". </P>

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