Cheddi Jagan
Cheddi Jagan (1918–1997) was a Guyanese politician who led the country before and after independence, serving as president from 1992 until his death.
Janet Jagan: Janet Jagan (1920–2009) was an American-born Guyanese politician who served as Guyana’s president from 1997 to 1999. His wife and political partner, she succeeded him as president after his death.
British Guiana: The British colony on the northern coast of South America that became Guyana in 1966. Jagan entered politics in this colony before it won independence.
1953 British Guiana general election: The first election under universal adult suffrage in British Guiana, won decisively by the People’s Progressive Party. Its result brought Jagan’s party to office and triggered Britain’s suspension of the constitution.
Guyana: A country on the northern coast of South America, independent of Britain since 1966. Jagan’s political career spanned the colony’s transition into the independent state.
Forbes Burnham: Forbes Burnham (1923–1985) was a Guyanese politician who led the country from independence until his death. A former ally turned rival, he led the faction that displaced Jagan’s party from power.
East Indian Indenture System: A system that brought contract laborers from India to colonies, including British Guiana, after slavery ended. Jagan came from a family rooted in the Indo-Guyanese community formed by indenture.
British Guiana constitutional crisis of 1953: The British suspension of British Guiana’s constitution and removal of its elected government in October 1953. The crisis abruptly ended Jagan’s first period in government.
Independence of Guyana: The end of British rule in Guyana on 26 May 1966. Jagan was a leading independence politician, though his party was not in government at independence.
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham: A Guyanese politician better known as Forbes Burnham, who served as prime minister and president. His name appears in full in records of the political rivalry that divided Guyana.
University of Chicago: A private research university in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1890. Jagan studied dentistry there before returning to British Guiana.