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Independence From Spain
In 1821, the country achieved independence from Spain as part of the First Mexican Empire, only to further secede as part of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823. -
United Provinces
El Salvador becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, which also includes Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. -
Salvadorian Peasant Massacre
Some 30,000 people are killed during the suppression of a peasant uprising led by Agustine Farabundo Marti. -
PCN
Right-wing National Conciliation Party (PCN) comes to power after a military coup. -
Assassination
Archbishop of San Salvador and human rights campaigner Oscar Romero assassinated; Jose Napoleon Duarte becomes first civilian president since 1931. -
Presidential Election
Duarte wins presidential election. -
Earthquakes
Two massive earthquakes kill 1,200 people and render another one million homeless -
Iraq
360 Salvadoran troops dispatched to Iraq. -
Prison Riot
21 inmates are killed in a riot at a maximum-security prison west of the capital. -
Civil War Massacre
Government apologies for civil war massacre of more than 1,000 people in the town of El Mozote. The massacre happened in 1981.