Timeline Description: Haiti's history is one of colonization, occupation and significant political unrest. Haiti's political stability has been repeatedly threatened through the 20th and 21st century, both by political events, and natural ones, like the horror of the 2010 earthquake.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1492 | Columbus Reached Haiti Columbus reached Haiti in 1492, quickly bringing an end to the vibrant native culture of the Taino people. |
| 1508 | Spanish Slave Trade Established The Spanish officially established the African slave trade in 1508, providing an ongoing supply of slaves moving into Haiti. |
| 1592 | Last Queen of Haiti Executed The last native queen of Haiti, Queen Anacaona of the Taino Kingdom in Haiti, was executed by the Spanish. |
| 1625 | French Settlers Reached Haiti The first French settlers reached Haiti in 1625. The French influence significantly shaped Haiti over coming centuries, even after Haitian independence from France. |
| 1751 | Slave Rebellions in Saint-Dominique Slave rebellions began in 1751 in Saint-Dominique. These challenged the status quo and put white slaveholders at risk, since they were dramatically outnumbered. |
| August 14, 1791 | Haitian Revolution Began On August 14, 1791, the Haitian revolution began. Slave rebellions had already been common in Haiti. The revolution was military and political, leading to widespread massacres of white landowners. |
| April 4, 1792 | French Legislature Granted Equal Rights The French legislature formally granted legal rights to all French people and those within French colonies. This legislation was the first step in the abolition of slavery. |
| 1793 | Toussaint Gained Power(1793 to 1799) Over the years between 1793 and 1799, the military general Toussaint consolidated power and gained additional political power through military actions. |
| February 4, 1794 | Abolition of Slavery in All French Colonies The French legislature officially abolished slavery in all French colonies, including Haiti, in February 1794. |
| July 8, 1801 | Haitian Constitution of 1801 Haiti drafted its first constitution in 1801. This constitution made the military leader, Toussaint, governor for life. |
| March 1802 | Toussaint Defeated by French Forces The military leader, Toussaint, was defeated by the French in March 1802. Toussaint had the support of the Spanish, but not the Haitian peoples. |
| January 1, 1804 | Haitian Independence In January 1804, Haiti declared itself independent of French control, under the leadership of the revolutionary Dessalines. |
| January 1, 1807 | Division of Haiti In 1807, Haiti split into the Republic of Haiti and the State of Haiti, divided between North and South, following a significant battle. |
| December 31, 1843 | Constitution of 1843 After some political strife in Haiti, a new constitution was drafted and president appointed in 1843. |
| July 28, 1915 | U.S. Occupation Began Following a period of significant unrest, U.S. troops occupy Haiti. The United States remained in control of Haiti until 1934. |
| August 14, 1934 | Occupation Ended The U.S. Occupation ended in August 1934. By 1935, the people oof Haiti have a new constitution. |
| October 22, 1957 | "Papa Doc" Duvalier Elected Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier is elected President of Haiti. He goes on to institute a reign of terror and presidency for life. He is succeeded by his son. |
| December 16, 1990 | Democratic Elections In December 1990, after a long period of totalitarian rule, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president. He supported the poor; however, he was soon deposed by a military coup. |
| 1994 | U.S. Occupation Following repeated bouts of violence and unrest, the country of Haiti was occupied by U.S. forces with the support and approval of the United Nations. Several months later, the UN officially took over; however, U.S. forces remained key to the occupation. |
| January 12, 2010 | Earthquake On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck the city of Port-au-Prince. More than 230,000 people were killed and the city's infrastructure destroyed. |