On this day, March 13, in 1979

The New Jewel Movement began in Grenada when Maurice Bishop successfully overthrew the harsh dictatorship of Prime Minister Eric Gairy. The New Jewel Movement aligned itself with the socialist governments of the Soviet Union and Cuba and was highly influenced by the Black Power Movement. It prioritized strengthening the military, causing the US to label Grenada as a threat. While the movement had its limitations, it greatly improved social and economic conditions in Grenada. Another military coup overthrew the New Jewel Movement 4 years later, leading to political turmoil and extensive foreign intervention.