Why was Grenada’s independence in 1974 historically significant among the West Indies Associated States?

Grenada’s independence in 1974 was historically significant because it was the first of the six West Indies Associated States to achieve full sovereignty from the United Kingdom.1

Following the failure of earlier attempts to create a viable colonial federation among the British territories in the Caribbean, Britain had established "associated statehood" in 1967, which granted these islands internal self-government while retaining British control over defense and external affairs. Grenada’s transition to independence on February 7, 1974, marked the beginning of the second stage of independence for these territories, which continued through the early 1980s. Upon attaining independence, Grenada also secured membership in the Commonwealth and the United Nations.2341