Timeline of Dominican Republic

Chronology

21 events spanning the history of Dominican Republic. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1492

   Christopher Columbus visits the island

   Christopher Columbus visits the island, which he names Hispaniola, or “Little Spain”.

2. 1496

   Bartholomew Columbus founds the city of Santo Domingo

   Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher Columbus, founds the city of Santo Domingo, now part of the Dominican Republic, making it the oldest European City and permanent settlement in the New World.

3. 1510

   First slaves brought to the New World.

   The first shipment of Africans to Santo Domingo.

4. 1515

   The indigenous Taino Indians were practically annihilated

   The indigenous Taino Indians were practically annihilated due to continuos clashes and rebellion against the Spanish.

5. 1586

   Francis Drake attacked the heavily fortified city of Santo Domingo

   Francis Drake attacked the heavily fortified city of Santo Domingo in Hispanola and forced the governor to pay a large ransom.

6. 1697

   Treaty of Ryswick gives Haiti to France and the present Dominican Republic to Spain.

   Treaty of Ryswick gives Haiti to France and the present Dominican Republic to Spain.

7. 1793

   The 1st British soldiers came ashore at St. Domingue.

   The 1st British soldiers came ashore at St. Domingue.

8. 1795

   Spain cedes its portion of Hispaniola island to France

   Spain cedes its portion of Hispaniola island to France.

9. 1801

   A new constitution

   A new constitution, drafted by a committee appointed by Toussaint Louverture (L’Ouverture), went into effect and declared the independence of Hispaniola. The constitution made him governor general for life with near absolute powers.

10. 1821

    Uprising against Spanish rules is followed by brief period of independence.

    Uprising against Spanish rules is followed by brief period of independence.