HOW TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WAS GOVERNED BEFORE INDEPENDENCE
Our Nation’s Attainment of Independence in 1962 marked the end of colonial rule that had started during the 16th century under the aegis of Spain and had continued when the British captured Trinidad. In the meantime, Tobago had its own uneven political history, changing hands from one European power to another whilst having its own bicameral elective legislature from as early as 1768. As Crown Colony governance became tighter from the mid-19th century that melancholy isle was deprived of its bicameral legislature in 1874 and in 1877 was made a purely nominative, one-chambered Crown Colony legislature. In 1889, Tobago was united administratively with Trinidad in order to reduce British expenses in the Caribbean and in 1899 the noose was further tightened when that colony was made a ward of Trinidad and Tobago. From the beginning of the 20th century, Tobago joined Trinidad in advocating freedom from colonial rule, becoming an integral part of the achievement on Independence in 1962.
NATIONAL FLAG
The flag of Trinidad and Tobago was adopted on August 31, 1962, and consists of a red background with a white and black band diagonally placed across the upper left corner to the bottom right corner. The two white stripes are symbolic of the bountiful sea, the red represents the people, and black represents their hard work and strength.

COAT OF ARMS
The shield of the coat of arms contains the same colors as the nation's flag, and carry the same meaning. The gold ships within the shield represent Christopher Columbus' ships: the Santa Maria, La Nina, and La Pinta.
The two birds above the ships, in the black section, are hummingbirds representing the more than sixteen different species of hummingbird that have been recorded on the island of Trinidad. On the left side of the shield stands a Scarlet Ibis, while on