Timeline of Haiti

Chronology

24 events spanning the history of Haiti. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1492

   Christopher Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain.

   Christopher Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain. The Spanish build the New World’s first settlement at La Navidad on Haiti’s north coast.

2. 1697

   Spain cedes western part of Hispaniola to France.

   Spain cedes western part of Hispaniola to France, and this becomes Haiti, or Land of Mountains.

3. 1791 – 1803

   A slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman.

   A slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman leading to a protracted 13-year war of liberation against St. Domingue’s colonists and later, Napoleon’s army which was also assisted by Spanish and British forces. The slave armies were commanded by General Toussaint Louverture who was eventually betrayed by the French and subsequently exiled to France where he died.

4. 1803

   The Haitian blue and red flag is devised at Arcahie.

   The Haitian blue and red flag is devised at Arcahie, by taking the French tricolor, turning it in its side and removing the white band. The Battle of Vertières in November marks the ultimate victory of the former slaves over the French.

5. 1804

   Haiti becomes independent.

   Haiti becomes independent; former slave Jean-Jacques Dessalines declares himself emperor.

6. 1807 – 1820

   Civil war racks the country.

   Civil war racks the country, which divides into the northern kingdom of Henri Christophe and the southern republic governed by Alexandre Pétion. Faced with a rebellion by his own army, Christophe commits suicide, paving the way for Jean-Pierre Boyer to reunify the country and become President of the entire republic in 1820.

7. 1821

   President Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence from Spain.

   President Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence from Spain. The entire island is now controlled by Haiti until 1844.

8. 1838

   France recognizes Haitian independence.

   France recognizes Haitian independence in exchange for a financial indemnity of 150 million francs. Most nations including the United States shunned Haiti for almost forty years, fearful that its example could stir unrest there and in other slaveholding countries. Over the next few decades Haiti is forced to take out loans of 70 million francs to repay the indemnity and gain international recognition.

9. 1862

   The United States finally grants Haiti diplomatic recognition.

   The United States finally grants Haiti diplomatic recognition sending noted abolitionist Frederick Douglass as its Consular Minister.

10. 1915

    President Woodrow Wilson orders the U.S. Marines to occupy Haiti.

    President Woodrow Wilson orders the U.S. Marines to occupy Haiti and establish control over customs-houses and port authorities. The Haitian National Guard is created by the occupying Americans. The Marines force peasants into corvée labor building roads. Peasant resistance to the occupiers grows under the leadership of Charlemagne Peralt, who is betrayed and assassinated by Marines in 1919.