Bermuda is named for the Spaniard Juan de Bermudez, who is credited with discovering the islands in about 1515. They were once called the Somers Islands, after Sir George Somers, who first settled them early in the 17th century.

Since 1684 Bermuda has been a self-governing British colony. Movements for independence have surfaced repeatedly over the years, but in 1968 Bermudans ratified a new constitution, under which the British monarch, represented by a governor, is the head of state.

The governor controls defence, internal security, external affairs, and the police. The cabinet, headed by the premier, and including at least six other members of the majority party in the legislature, advises the governor on other matters. The 11 members of the Senate are appointed. The 40 members of the House of Assembly are elected, two from each of the islands' constituencies. Racial and political tensions increased in 1973 when Bermuda's governor, Richard Sharples, was assassinated. Rioting in the late 1970s led to the Human Rights Act of 1981 that prohibits racial discrimination