The Soufrière Hills Volcano on the southern side of the island became active on Tuesday July 18th 1995. The first explosion occurred in August 1995, and the period of activity lasted until 1999. In 1997, the explosion blanketed Plymouth, the capital of Montserrat, in a thick layer of ash and darkened the sky almost completely. Plymouth had been evacuated in 1995, though a large eruption in June 1997 resulted in the deaths of nineteen people. The island’s airport was directly in the path of the main pyroclastic flow and was completely destroyed. Montserrat’s tourist industry was devastated. The volcano is still active, though the current level of activity is low. 

The National Day of Prayer & Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for deep reflection and for the Nation to give thanks for God’s mercies. 

Plymouth, Montserrat remains the de jure (in law) capital and as such, it is the only capital city in the world with a population of zero. Brades is the de facto (in effect) capital.