Though a Spanish possession for three centuries, Trinidad was ceded to the British in 1797. Tobago, following a somewhat tumultuous history of changing hands among colonial powers, ultimately came under British control in 1802. The unification of Trinidad and Tobago as a single British colony occurred in 1889, marking a significant step in the islands' shared history.

British rule persisted until the mid-20th century, a period marked by significant social and political changes. The movement towards independence gained momentum following World War II, mirroring global trends of decolonization. This culminated in the British Parliament passing the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act of 1962. The Act, signaling the end of British colonial rule, took effect on August 31, 1962, officially establishing the independent nation of Trinidad and Tobago.