1 Jamaica acquired its own local telephone area code ‘876’, which was created during a split from the original 809 area code.

2 The second son of Jamaica’s Premier Norman Washington Manley and Jamaican artist Edna Manley, Michael Manley, the fourth Prime Minister of Jamaica (1972-1980, 1989-1992), died March 6.

3 General elections were held on December 18. The ruling People’s National Party of Prime Minister PJ Patterson won 50 of the 60 seats defeating the main opposition Jamaica Labour Party.

4 The national football team The Reggae Boyz made history by becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the 1998 World Cup.

5 The public holiday August 1, Emancipation Day was reintroduced. This holiday recognises the day slaves were given full freedom in 1938.

6 Ambassador Audrey P Marks conceptualised and is the founder of Paymaster (Jamaica) Limited, a multi-transaction company which she started.

7 All non-current coins were demonetised.

8 The Financial Sector Adjustment Company (FINSAC) Limited was established January by the Government to address the financial crises and numerous problems within the banking sector.

9 Jamaica performed well in the 1997 Junior Carifta Games, accumulating 61 medals — 28 gold, 20 silver and 13 bronze.

10 Jamaica’s most celebrated and accomplished boxer to date Mike McCallum retired with a record of 49 wins (36 knockouts) five losses and a draw.

— Compiled by Talia Soares