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Jan 1, 1492
THE “BEGINNING” OF HISTORY
Christopher Columbus lands on what is now known as Hispaniola (the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and claims it for Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. While this is regarded as the beginning of Haiti’s written history, the island had been inhabited by indigenous Taíno, who referred to the land as Ayiti, since the BC era. -
Period: Jan 1, 1495 to
SPANISH COLONIZATION
In 1496, the first Spanish settlement on Hispaniola (and the first European settlement in the western hemisphere) is established in what is now present-day Dominican Republic. -
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french revolution
The first French settlers establish a colony on Tortuga Island and in the northwestern area of Haiti’s mainland, naming the territory Saint-Domingue. -
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revolution
The events of 1789 make more people , on both sides of the Atlantic, outspoken for the rights of Black and indigenous people of color in the colony. France violently represses this activism, which leads to the beginning of the Haitian Revolution in 1791. -
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a fractured peace a civil war
On January 1, 1804, Dessalines assumes the role of Governor-General. He declares himself Emperor later that year, and is assassinated two years later. This leads to a Haitian civil war between the north and south that lasts until 1820. Reunification following the second peace excludes Black Haitians from power. -
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independence but at a cost
French King Charles X agrees to formally recognize Haiti as an independent nation, provided that the country pay 150 million francs in reparations to France (approximately $33 billion in today’s currency). Haiti takes out high-interest loans from American, German, and French banks to cover the cost (approximately 80% of the country’s annual national budget). -
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AMERICAN OCCUPATION AND THE PARSLEY MASSACRE
After a series of short-lived Haitian presidencies and border disputes with the Dominican Republic, the United States invades in 1915 to protect its investments in-country. The United States withdraws its forces in 1934. Three years later, Dominican forces under the orders of President Rafael Trujillo kill an estimated 30,000 Haitians living in the border zone between the two countries in what’s known today as the Parsley Massacre. -
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FRANÇOIS “PAPA DOC” DUVALIER TAKES POWER
Shortly after Haiti celebrates 150 years of independence, Hurricane Hazel makes landfall in the country in October 1954, killing 1,000 and destroying coffee and cocoa crops at the beginning of harvest season. In 1957, following two failed elections, physician François “Papa Doc” Duvalier seizes power. -
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THE REIGN AND FALL OF JEAN-CLAUDE “BABY DOC” DUVALIER
Following Duvalier’s death, his 19-year-old son, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, assumes the title of president for life. A popular revolt in 1986, however, leads to Baby Doc fleeing Haiti. He is replaced by Lieutenant-General Henri Namphy. -
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LESLIE MANIGAT ELECTED AND OVERTHROWN
The elections of 1987 are delayed following the assassinations of two candidates and a massacre of Haitian voters. Military-run elections in January 1988 declare Leslie Manigat the winner. He is overthrown in a military coup led by Namphy six months later. In September, Namphy himself is overthrown by General Prosper Avril. -
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FREE ELECTIONS, NATURAL DISASTERS
Floods damage parts of the country early in 2004, a vulnerability that is further exploited that September by Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Jeanne. Jeanne kills at least 3,000 and leaves another 250,000 Haitians homeless. Flooding destroys key rice and fruit harvests. -
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EARTHQUAKE, CHOLERA, AND FURTHER INSTABILITY
a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hits Port-au-Prince. The scale is unprecedented in an urban setting. While international donors pledge $5.3 billion to help Haiti rebuild, many fail to meet their commitments. -
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HURRICANE MATTHEW HITS AMID A LAG IN FUNDING
Hurricane Matthew makes landfall late in the season and is the strongest storm to hit Haiti since 1964. In addition to destroying crops just before harvest time, it exacerbates the cholera epidemic, leaves 200,000 families without a home, and causes further damage to the country’s infrastructure. -
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NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND UNCERTAINTIES
COVID-19 lockdowns add to income loss and food insecurity. Political insecurity also continues, with a constitutional crisis provoked over Moïse’s term limit and refusal to leave office before 2022. Moïse is assassinated in his own home in July, 2021, leading to increasing violence in the country. Ariel Henry is confirmed as prime minister, and also takes on the role of acting president. -
7.2 earthquake
Five weeks after Moïse’s assassination, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits western Haiti, approximately 55 miles north of Les Cayes. It is the largest natural disaster to hit the country since the 2010 earthquake.