Timeline

Nov 25, 1498

Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, which is inhabited by Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples.
Nov 25, 1521

Spanish colonisation begins on the north-east coast.
Nov 25, 1749

First rebellion against Spanish colonial rule.
Nov 25, 1810

Venezuelan patriots take advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain to declare independence.
Nov 25, 1811

Independence Act signed.
Nov 25, 1829

Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic with its capital at Caracas.
Nov 25, 1870

Venezuela governed by Antonio Guzman Blanco, who attracts foreign investment, modernises infrastructure and develops agriculture and education.
Nov 25, 1958

Admiral Wolfgang Larrazabal ousts Marcos Perez Jimenez; leftist Romulo Betancourt of the Democratic Action Party (AD) wins democratic presidential election.
Nov 25, 1960

Movement of the Revolutionary Left splits from AD and commences anti-government work.
Nov 25, 1964

Venezuela's first presidential handover from one civilian to another takes place when Dr Raul Leoni (AD) is elected president.
Nov 25, 1973

Venezuela benefits from oil boom and its currency peaks against the US dollar; oil and steel industries nationalised.
Nov 25, 1983

Fall in world oil prices generates unrest and cuts in welfare spending; Dr Jaime Lusinchi (AD) elected president and signs pact involving government, trade unions and business.
Jan 1, 1998

Hugo Chavez Elected President
Jan 1, 1999

Floods & Mudslides

Floods and mudslides hit the north and kill thousands
Jan 1, 2000

Hugo Chavez wins another 6 years in office

Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, which is inhabited by Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples.

Spanish colonisation begins on the north-east coast.

First rebellion against Spanish colonial rule.

Venezuelan patriots take advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain to declare independence.

Independence Act signed.

Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic with its capital at Caracas.

Venezuela governed by Antonio Guzman Blanco, who attracts foreign investment, modernises infrastructure and develops agriculture and education.

Admiral Wolfgang Larrazabal ousts Marcos Perez Jimenez; leftist Romulo Betancourt of the Democratic Action Party (AD) wins democratic presidential election.

Movement of the Revolutionary Left splits from AD and commences anti-government work.

Venezuela's first presidential handover from one civilian to another takes place when Dr Raul Leoni (AD) is elected president.

Venezuela benefits from oil boom and its currency peaks against the US dollar; oil and steel industries nationalised.

Fall in world oil prices generates unrest and cuts in welfare spending; Dr Jaime Lusinchi (AD) elected president and signs pact involving government, trade unions and business.

Hugo Chavez Elected President

Floods & Mudslides

Hugo Chavez wins another 6 years in office