Timeline of Haitian history 482711 214358858 2008-05-23T05:02:06Z 72.252.106.86 /* 18th century */ __NOTOC__ This is a '''timeline of [[Haiti]]an history'''. To read about the background to these events, see [[History of Haiti]]. See also the [[list of heads of state of Haïti]]. ''This timeline is '''incomplete'''; some important events may be missing. Please help add to it.'' <div class="toc">[[#15th century|15th]] - [[#16th century|16th]] - [[#17th century|17th]] - [[#18th century|18th]] - [[#19th century|19th]] - [[#20th century|20th]] - [[#21st century|21st]]</div> == 15th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[1492]] || || [[Christopher Columbus]] landed near today's city of [[Cap-Haïtien]] and claimed the island for [[Spain]], naming it [[Hispaniola]]. |} == 16th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[1503]] || || The first [[Africa]]ns were brought to [[Hispaniola]] for labor. |- | [[1508]] || || [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] officially established [[Spain]]'s [[Africa]]n slave trade. |- | [[1528]] || || Don Sebastián Ramirez de Fuente became the first [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[bishop]] of the island. |- | [[1592]] || || [[Queen Anacaona]], leader of the last [[Taino]] kingdom in Haiti, is executed by Spanish governor. |} == 17th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[1625]] || || The [[Early Modern France|French]] settled [[Tortuga|Tortuga Island]] and northwestern [[Hispaniola]], naming their colony Saint-Domingue. |- | [[1665]] || || The city of [[Port-de-Paix]] was founded on the northwest coast by [[Early Modern France|French]] settlers. |- | [[1670]] || || [[Louis XIV of France]] authorized the [[Africa]]n slave trade in [[Saint-Domingue]]. |- | [[1685]] || || [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] enacted the ''[[Code Noir]]'', regulating slavery in Saint-Domingue and the rest of the [[Early Modern France|French]] colonial empire. |- | [[1697]] || || Spain signed the [[Treaty of Ryswick]], under whose terms she ceded the western third of [[Hispaniola]] to [[Early Modern France|France]]. |} == 18th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[1749]] || || The city of [[Port-au-Prince]] was founded by Charles Burnier, Marquis of Larnage and named the capital of Saint-Domingue. |- | [[1751]] || || Slave rebellions in northern Saint-Domingue, led by [[François Mackandal]], began. |- | [[1758]] || || [[François Mackandal|Mackandal]] was captured and publicly executed in [[Cap-Français]]. |- | [[1778]] || || Volunteer Haitian slaves, led by [[Early Modern France|French]] admiral Count d'Estaing, left for [[Savannah, Georgia]] to fight against the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] in the [[American Revolutionary War]]. |- | rowspan="7" valign="top" | [[1791]] || February 25 || [[Vincent Ogé]] and Jean-Baptiste Chavannes, proponents of equal rights for free blacks and [[mulatto]]s and leaders of an armed rebellion, were publicly executed in [[Cap-Français]]. |- | August 7 || The ''Conseil des Représentants de la Commune'' was founded by [[affranchi]]s to demand equal rights. Pinchinat was named president of the council. |- | August 14 || ''[[Haitian Revolution]]'': [[Boukman Dutty]] held a [[Vodou]] ceremony in [[Bois-Caïman]], where hundreds of slaves vowed to die for liberty. |- | August 20 || A force of [[affranchi]]s and slaves defeated the Europeans near [[Port-au-Prince]]. |- | August 22 || Rebel leader [[Dutty Boukman]] was killed in a major revolt led by himself, [[Jean François]], [[Georges Biassou]], and [[Jeannot]]. |- | September 24 || The Concordat de Damiens was singing, granting political rights to the [[affranchi]]s |- | November || The First Civil Commission, comprising Roume, Mirbeck, and Saint-Léger, arrived in [[Cap-Français]] to restore order. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1792]] || April 4 || [[Early Modern France|France's]] [[Legislative Assembly (France)|Legislative Assembly]] voted to give full citizenship and equal rights to all free people of color. |- | September 18 || The Second Civil Commission, comprising [[Léger-Félicité Sonthonax]], Polvérel, and Ailhaud, arrived in [[Cap-Français]] to execute the law of April 4. |- | rowspan="9" valign="top" | [[1793]] || rowspan="2" valign="top" | April 12 || A force led by the Second Civil Commission and [[affranchi]]s defeated white colonists in a fight to enforce the law of April 4. |- | [[Toussaint Louverture]] offered his services as a military commander to the [[Spain|Spanish]]. |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | June 20 || [[Early Modern France|French]] colonial forces, under the authority of the Second Civil Commission, put down a revolt led by the white planter Galbaud. |- | [[Henri Christophe]] was promoted to the captaincy of the [[Early Modern France|French]] colonial forces. |- | [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] troops landed in Saint-Domingue. |- | June || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]], fighting for [[Spain]], captured the city of Dondon. |- | August 13 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] defeated the [[Early Modern France|French]] general Desfourneaux at Ennery. |- | August 29 || [[Léger-Félicité Sonthonax|Sonthonax]], without approval from the [[Early Modern France|French]] government, declared the abolition of slavery in northern Saint-Domingue. |- | December 6 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] captured [[Gonaïves]] for [[Spain]]. |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1794]] || February 4 || The [[French First Republic|French]] [[National Convention]] declared the abolition of slavery in all French colonies. |- | May || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] left the [[Spain|Spanish]] and joined the [[French First Republic|French]] forces. |- | June 1 || The [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] captured [[Port-au-Prince]] from Colonel Montbrun of [[French First Republic|France]]. |- | October 21 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] captured the cities of [[Saint-Michel]] and [[Saint-Raphaël]] for the [[French First Republic|French]]. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1795]] || October 13 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] captured the city of Dondon a second time, this time for [[French First Republic|France]]. |- | October 14 || The Treaty of Bâle was ratified, ending [[Spain]]'s involvement in the conflict and surrendering the eastern part of [[Hispaniola]] to [[French First Republic|France]]. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1796]] || March 30 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] rescued [[French First Republic|French]] commander Laveaux from mulatto rebel Villatte; Laveaux appointed Toussaint the Lieutenant-Governor of Saint-Domingue. |- | May 11 || The Third Civil Commission, comprising [[Léger-Félicité Sonthonax|Sonthonax]], Roume, Giraud, Leblanc, and Julien Raymond, arrived in Saint-Domingue to establish diplomatic relations between [[French First Republic|France]] and the colony. |- | [[1797]] || May 1 || [[Léger-Félicité Sonthonax|Sonthonax]] appointed [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] the commander-in-chief of the [[French First Republic|French]] colonial forces |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1798]] || April 20 || General Hédouville arrived in [[Cap-Français]] on the orders of the [[French First Republic|French]] government in order to oppose the ambition of [[Toussaint Louverture]] |- | August 31 || [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] general [[Maitland]] agreed to evacuate [[Môle Saint-Nicolas]] and surrender his troops to [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]]. |- | [[1799]] || January 12 || The generals of the colony - [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]], [[André Rigaud]], Bauvais, and Laplume - met in [[Port-au-Prince]] and named Toussaint the lead commander. Rigaud surrendered control of the southern cities of [[Léogâne]], [[Grand-Goâve]], [[Petit-Goâve]], and [[Miragoâne]]. |} == 19th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1801]] || January 27 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] invaded the eastern part of [[Hispaniola]] and captured [[Santo Domingo]], declaring freedom for all slaves and appointing a ten-member Central Assembly to issue a constitution. |- | July 8 || The Constitution of 1801 was promulgated, under which [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] was to be Governor General for life. |- | rowspan="11" valign="top" | [[1802]] || January 29 || A [[French First Republic|French]] expeditionary force, sent by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] and led by his brother-in-law [[Charles Leclerc]], arrived in [[Samana Bay]]. |- | February 1 || [[French First Republic]]French vessels arrived at [[Cap-Haïtien|Cap-Français]]. |- | February 4 || [[Henry I of Haiti|Henri Christophe]] burned [[Cap-Haïtien|Cap-Français]] to resist the [[French First Republic|French]] troops. |- | February 23 || ''[[Battle of Ravine-à-Couleuvres]]'': [[French First Republic|French]] forces defeated [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]]. |- | March || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] was defeated by [[French First Republic|French]] forces. |- | March 4 || ''[[Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot]]'': The battle began. |- | March 24 || ''Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot'': The battle ended with a [[French First Republic|French]] victory over [[Jean-Jacques Dessalines]]. |- | May 6 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] arrived in [[Cap-Haïtien|Cap-Français]] to negotiate his surrender to the [[French First Republic|French]]. |- | June 7 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] was arrested by [[Charles Leclerc|General Leclerc]] and shipped to France, where he was imprisoned. |- | October 13 || [[Jean-Jacques Dessalines|Dessalines]], now Commander-in-Chief of the revolutionary forces, met with [[Alexandre Pétion]] in Haut-du-Cap to plan further military action. |- | November 1 || Commander of the [[French First Republic|French]] forces [[Charles Leclerc|General Leclerc]] died of [[yellow fever]]. He was succeeded by [[Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de Rochambeau]]. |- | rowspan="6" valign="top" | [[1803]] || April 7 || [[Toussaint Louverture|Toussaint]] died in the [[French First Republic|French]] prison of [[Fort de Joux]]. |- | May 18 || The [[flag of Haiti]] was created during a meeting between [[Jean-Jacques Dessalines|Dessalines]] and [[Alexandre Pétion|Pétion]] in l'Arcahaie and sewn by [[Catherine Flon]]. |- | November 18 || ''[[Battle of Vertières]]'': During the last major battle of the revolution, Haitian forces under [[Jean-Jacques Dessalines|Dessalines]] and [[Alexandre Pétion|Pétion]] defeated the [[French First Republic|French]]. |- | November 19 || French general Rochambeau signs a document of surrender and agrees to evacuate French troops from Saint-Domingue; Rochambeau is later given as a prisoner to the British |- | November 29 || Dessalines' army arrives in Cap-Français; Christophe and [[Clerveaux]] issue a preliminary declaration of independence |- | December 4 || French forces surrender [[Môle Saint-Nicolas]] to Dessalines' army, officially ending French presence on the island |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1804]] || January 1 || Dessalines, in [[Gonaïves]], declares Haiti an independent nation and becomes Governor-General |- | September 22 || Dessalines proclaims himself [[Emperor of Haiti]] |- | October 6 || Dessalines becomes Emperor Jacques I in a [[coronation]] ceremony at Cap-Français |- | [[1805]] || May 20 || Dessalines formulates the first constitution of Haiti as an independent country, the [[Imperial Constitution of 1805]] |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1806]] || October 17 || Dessalines is assassinated at [[Pont-Rouge]] by disaffected leaders of his administration |- | December 27 || During a meeting at a cathedral in [[Port-au-Prince]], the [[Constituent Assembly]] creates a new constitution and appoints [[Henri Christophe]] to a four-year term as President of the Republic of Haiti |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1807]] || January 1 || The [[Battle of Sibert]] ends with the division of Haiti into the southern [[Republic of Haiti]] under [[Alexandre Pétion]] and the northern [[State of Haiti]] under Christophe |- | February 17 || Henri Christophe names himself President of the State of Haiti; a state council (7 generals and 2 civilians) appointed by Christophe meets in [[Cap-Haïtien]] and votes the [[Constitutional Act of Haiti]] |- | March 9 || Pétion is elected President of the Republic of Haiti by the Constituent Assembly under the Constitution of 1806 |- | [[1809]] || || [[Louis XVIII of France]] sends a delegation to negotiate France's recognition of Haitian independence; Pétion meets with a French delegate, [[Dauxion-Lavaysse]], and agrees to an [[indemnity]] payable to dispossessed French planters |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1811]] || March 9 || Pétion is elected to a second four-year term as President of the Republic of Haiti |- | March 26 || Christophe proclaims himself King Henri I of the northern Haitian state, now known as the [[Kingdom of Haiti]] |- | May 28 || The Kingdom of Haiti promulgates the [[Royal Constitution of Henri I]] |- | June 2 || Christophe is coronated as King Henri I in Cap-Haïtien |- | [[1812]] || February 24 || The Kingdom of Haiti establishes a [[civil code]], the [[Henri Code]] |- | [[1814]] || November || Christophe refuses to negotiate with French delegate [[Franco de Medina]] concerning France's recognition of Haitian independence |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1816]] || June 2 || Pétion promulgates the [[Republican Constitution]] |- | October 8 || Louis XVIII of France sends another delegation to negotiate France's recognition of Haitian independence; Pétion cuts off negotiation, Christophe declines to meet the delegates |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1818]] || March 29 || Pétion, President of the Republic of Haiti, dies of fever |- | March 30 || [[Jean-Pierre Boyer]], Chief of the Presidential Guard, is appointed President-for-Life of the Republic of Haiti |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1820]] || October 8 || Christophe, King of the northern Haitian state, commits suicide |- | October 26 || Boyer promulgates the Republican Constitution in Christophe's northern state; northern and southern Haiti are unified |- | [[1822]] || February 9 || Boyer arrives in [[Santo Domingo]] and declares control over the entire island of [[Hispaniola]] |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1825]] || April 17 || King [[Charles X of France]] signs an ordinance which conditionally recognizes the independence of Haiti and imposes a 150 million [[French franc|franc]] [[indemnity]] on the Haitian government |- | July 3 || A squadron of French ships arrives in Haiti to deliver the news of Charles X's ordinance of [[April 17]] to President Boyer |- | [[1831]] || September 22 || The city of [[Pétionville]], a suburb of [[Port-au-Prince]] named for [[Alexandre Pétion]], is founded by Boyer |- | [[1838]] || || Haiti's remaining debt to France, 120 million francs, is reduced to 60 million francs |- | [[1842]] || May 7 || An earthquake stikes northern Haiti, destoying the city of [[Cap-Haïtien]] ([[1842 Cap-Haïtien earthquake]]) |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1843]] || March 13 || President Boyer is overthrown and flees to Paris in exile |- | September 18 || The [[Constituent Assembly]] begins formulating the [[Constitution of 1843]]; it will take more than three months to finish |- | December 31 || The Constitution of 1843 is released and [[Charles Riviere-Hérard]] is appointed President of Haiti |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1844]] || February 28 || The [[Dominican Republic]] declares its independence from Haiti |- | April 4 || The ''[[Piquets]]'', peasants of southern Haiti led by [[Jean-Jacques Acaau]], revolt against the government |- | May 3 || The Piquets force Riviere-Hérard into exile; [[Philippe Guerrier]] is appointed President of Haiti |- | [[1845]] || April 15 || President Guerrier dies in office; the [[State Council]] appoints [[Jean-Louis Pierrot]] President of Haiti |- | [[1846]] || March 1 || President Pierrot is overthrown; [[Jean-Baptiste Riché]] becomes President of Haiti |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1847]] || || Haitian historian [[Thomas Madiou]] publishes the first volume of his seminal work ''Histoire d'Haïti'' (''"History of Haiti"'') |- | February 27 || President Riché dies in office |- | March 1 || [[Faustin Élie Soulouque]] is elected President of Haiti |- | [[1852]] || April 18 || President Faustin Soulouque is crowned Emperor Faustin I of Haiti |- | [[1858]] || December || Forces led by [[Fabre Geffrard]] defeat Emperor Faustin's Imperial Army |- | [[1859]] || January 13 || Fabre Geffrard is elected President of Haiti |- | [[1860]] || March 28 || Haiti and the [[Holy See|Vatican]] sign an agreement which divides Haiti into five [[diocese]]s |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1862]] || || The United States recognizes Haiti |- | December 15 || [[Rhum Barbancourt]] is first produced |- | [[1865]] || || [[Céligny Ardouin]]'s eleven-volume work on the history of Haiti, ''Essais sur l'Histoire d'Haïti'', is published |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1867]] || || President Geffrard is forced to flee the country |- | || [[Sylvain Salnave]] is elected President of Haiti |- | || The [[Constitution of 1867]] is voted |- | [[1869]] || || The [[National Assembly]] elects [[Nissage Saget]] to a four-year term as President of Haiti after the overthrow of Salnave |- | [[1870]] || || Haitian writer [[Demesvar Delorme]] publishes the essay "Les Théoriciens au Pouvoir", which maintains that political power should be in the hands of the intellectual elite |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1874]] || || Saget relinquishes the Presidency; the Constituent Assembly elects [[Michel Domingue]] as President |- | || President Domingue promulgates the [[Constitution of 1874]] |- | [[1875]] || || President Domingue signs a treaty of peace and friendship with the [[Dominican Republic]] |- | [[1876]] || || President Domingue is overthrown; the Constituent Assembly elects [[Pierre Théoma Boisrond-Canal]] to a four-year term as President |- | [[1879]] || || The Constituent Assembly elects [[Lysius Salomon]] as President; President Salomon would institute many reforms and pay off Haiti's remaining debt to France for independence |- | [[1880]] || || The [[National Bank of Haiti]] (or Haitian Central Bank) is founded by President Salomon |- | [[1882]] || || Port-au-Prince and Haiti are dedicated to [[Our Lady of Perpetual Help]] during a [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]] in [[Bel Air]] |- | [[1883]] || || Haitian poet [[Oswald Durand]] composes his most famous work, ''Choucoune'' |- | [[1884]] || || Haitian writer [[Louis-Joseph Janvier]] publishes the article "L'Egalité des Races", which proclaims the equality of the races |- | [[1885]] || || Haitian writer [[Anténor Firmin]] publishes the book ''De l'Égalité des Races Humaines'', which proclaims the equality of the races |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1888]] || || President Salomon is overthrown; the Constituent Assembly installs a provisional government |- | || The Constituent Assembly elects [[François Denys Légitime]] to the presidency |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1889]] || || President Légitime is overthrown; the Constituent Assembly installs a provisional government |- | || The Constituent Assembly elects [[Florvil Hyppolite]] to a seven-year term as president |- | [[1893]] || || Haitian writer [[Hannibal Price]] publishes ''De la Réhabilitation de la Race Noire par la République d'Haïti'' (''"On the Rehabilitation of the Black Race by the Republic of Haiti"'') in response to [[Spenser St. John]]'s ''Hayti or the Black Republic'' |- | [[1896]] || || President Hyppolite dies of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]]; [[Tirésias Simon Sam]] is elected to a seven-year term as president |} == 20th century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[1902]] || || President Simon Sam resigns; [[Pierre Nord Alexis]] becomes president |- | [[1904]] || January 1 || Haiti celebrates 100 years of independence |- | [[1908]] || || Pierre Nord Alexis withdraws from the presidency; the Constituent Assembly appoints [[François C. Antoine Simon]] president |- | [[1911]] || || President Antoine Simon cedes the presidency to [[Cincinnatus Leconte]] |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1912]] || January 30 || The [[Haitian Federation of Soccer]] is created |- | August 5 || The [[Haitian American Sugar Company]] is founded |- | August 8 || President Leconte and 300 soldiers are killed in an explosion at the [[National Palace]]; the Constituent Assembly appoints [[Tancrède Auguste]] president |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1913]] || || President Auguste dies during a visit to northern Haiti |- | || Senator [[Michel Oreste]] is elected president by the Constituent Assembly |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1914]] || || President Oreste is overthrown and succeeded by [[Oreste Zamor]] |- | || President Zamor is overthrown and succeeded by [[Joseph Davilmar Théodore]] |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1915]] || || President Théodore resigns and is succeeded by [[Vilbrun Guillaume Sam]] |- | July 28 || Three thousand [[United States Marines]], led by Admiral [[William B. Caperton]], enter Port-au-Prince; beginning of the 19 year [[U.S. occupation of Haiti]] |- | August 12 || Senator [[Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave]] is elected by the Constituent Assembly to a seven-year term as president |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1919]] || April 12 || The Haitian government undertakes a monetary reform with the National Bank of Haiti |- | October 31 || [[Charlemagne Péralte]], leader of the resistance against U.S. occupation, is assassinated |- | [[1920]] || || Haitian writer [[Leon Laleau]] publishes his first compilation of poems, ''A Voix Basse'' |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1921]] || January 24 || President Dartiguenave addresses United States President [[Warren G. Harding]] concerning the needs of the Haitian people |- | April 12 || United States President Harding responds to President Dartiguenave |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1922]] || April 10 || [[Louis Bornó]] is elected to a four-year term as president by the State Council |- | May 15 || President Dartiguenave's term ends; Louis Bornó is sworn into office |- | December 28 || The Central School of Agriculture (''[[Ecole Centrale d'Agriculture]]'') is founded in [[Damien]] |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1926]] || || President Bornó is re-elected by the State Council and makes a diplomatic trip to the United States |- | || Haitian writer Leon Laleau publishes his second compilation of poems, ''La Flèche au Cœur'' |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1928]] || || Haitian writer [[Jean Price-Mars]] publishes his acclaimed novel ''Ainsi Parla l'Oncle'' (''"So spoke the Uncle"'') |- | || Leon Laleau publishes two more compilations of poems, ''Le Rayon des Jupes'' and ''Abréviations'' |- | [[1929]] || January 21 || Haiti and the [[Dominican Republic]] sign an agreement settling the border between the two countries |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1930]] || February 28 || The [[Forbes Commission]], sent by U.S. president [[Herbert Hoover]] to investigate Haiti's political situation, arrives in the country |- | April 21 || [[Louis Eugène Roy]] is designated temporary president by state decree |- | November 18 || Senator [[Sténio Vincent]] is elected to a six-year term as president |- | December 10 || [[Fietta]], the first [[Apostolic Nuncio]] (diplomatic representative of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]) to Haiti, arrives in Port-au-Prince |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1931]] || || [[Jacques Roumain]] publishes his acclaimed novel ''Gouverneurs de la Rosée'' (''"Masters of the Dew"'') |- | August 5 || The U.S. agrees to hand over control of the Offices of Public Works, Health, Agriculture and Education to the Haitian government |- | December 15 || The ceremony commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of Port-au-Prince to the Virgin Mary, led by Archbishop [[Joseph Legouaze]], began. |- | December 17 || The anniversary ceremony ended. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1933]] || August 7 || The governments of Haiti and the United States sign an agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country and the end of the U.S. occupation |- | October 18 || President Vincent of Haiti and President [[Rafael Leónidas Trujillo]] of the Dominican Republic meet for diplomatic talks in [[Ouanaminthe]] in northeastern Haiti, near the Dominican border |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1934]] || July 5 || President of the United States [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] visits [[Cap-Haïtien]] |- | August 14 || Last American forces withdraw from Haiti, ending the U.S. occupation |- | August 21 || The [[flag of Haiti]] is raised at [[Casernes Dessalines]], where it was lowered nineteen years earlier at the start of the U.S. occupation |- | [[1935]] || May 16 || A new constitution is released, reinforcing the authority of the executive branch of government and renewing President [[Sténio Vincent]]'s mandate for five more years |- | [[1937]] || || Between 17,000 to 35,000 Haitians living in the [[Dominican Republic]] are massacred by the Dominican armed forces on the orders of President [[Rafael Trujillo]]. U.S. Secretary of State [[Cordell Hull]] later declared "President Trujillo is one of the greatest men in Central America and in most of South America." |- | [[1938]] || May 18 || The 135th anniversary of the [[flag of Haiti]] is celebrated with athletic festivities at the [[Champs-de-Mars]] in [[Port-au-Prince]] |- | [[1940]] || || Haiti's national library, the ''Bibliothèque Nationale d'Haïti'' is organized |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1941]] || April 14 || [[Élie Lescot]] is elected to a five-year term as president |- | May 15 || President Vincent's term ends; Élie Lescot takes office |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1944]] || May 7 || The [[Cathedral of Cap-Haïtien]] is consecrated after 100 years of restoration work |- | May 14 || The [[Centre d'Art]] is founded; it exhibits important Haitian art works |- | [[1946]] || || A military coup forces President Lescot to resign; the newly-created [[Executive Military Committee]] appoints [[Dumarsais Estimé]] president |- | [[1948]] || February 16 || The government-owned [[tobacco]] company [[Régie du Tabac et des Allumettes]] is founded |- | [[1949]] || December 8 || The bicentennial of [[Port-au-Prince]]'s founding is celebrated; a [[World's Fair]], the [[Exposition internationale du bicentenaire de Port-au-Prince]], is held |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1950]] || May 10 || Dumarsais Estimé reliinquishes the presidency and is replaced by a provisional government |- | October 8 || Presidential and legislative elections are held; Colonel [[Paul Magloire]] becomes the first president of Haiti to be elected directly by the people, the Delegates, and the Senators |- | December 6 || Paul Magloire is sworn in as president |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1951]] || || President Magloire of Haiti and President Trujillo of the Dominican Republic meet for diplomatic talks |- | || The Haitian Institute of Statistics (''[[Institut Haïtien de Statistique]]'') and the Haitian Institute of Farming and Industrial Credit (''[[Institut Haïtien de Crédit Agricole et Industriel]]'') are established by the government |- | [[1953]] || May 31 || Father [[Rémy Augustin]], the first native Haitian bishop, is consecrated at the [[Cathedral of Port-au-Prince]] |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1954]] || January 1 || A celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of Haiti's independence from France, during which monuments to the "heroes of independence" are inaugurated in Port-au-Prince, began. |- | January 4 || The celebration ended. |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1955]] || January 26 || President Magloire and his wife began a trip to the United States, [[Canada]], and [[Jamaica]]. |- | February 17 || Magloire's trip ended. |- | March 3 || Vice-President of the United States [[Richard Nixon]] and his wife began a visit to Haiti. |- | March 5 || Nixon's trip ended. |- | [[1956]] || || President Magloire relinquishes the presidency; President of the Supreme Court [[Joseph Nemours Pierre-Louis]] becomes provisional president of Haiti |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1957]] || || [[Franck Sylvain]] is elected President of Haiti, but is succeeded by a thirteen-member [[Executive Council of Government]] |- | || [[Daniel Fignolé]] is elected President of Haiti, but is replaced by a [[Military Council of Government]] |- | October 22 || Dr. [[François Duvalier|François "Papa Doc" Duvalier]] is elected President of Haiti |- | [[1958]] || || Duvalier began to attack his opponents violently, driving many of them into exile. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1964]] || || Duvalier's reign of terror ended. |- | || The [[National Assembly of Haiti|National Assembly]] votes to accept the [[Duvalieriste Constitution]], establishing Duvalier as [[President for Life]] of Haiti |- | [[1968]] || October 28 || [[François Wolf Ligondé]], the first Haitian [[archbishop]], is consecrated at the [[Cathedral of Port-au-Prince]] |- | [[1970]] || || Thousands of Haitians began to flee poverty and repression in Haiti by boat, often arriving in south [[Florida]]. |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1971]] || February || The National Assembly approves an amendment to the constitution, allowing President For Life Duvalier to name his son, [[Jean-Claude Duvalier]], as his successor |- | April 21 || President for Life François Duvalier dies in Port-au-Prince |- | April 22 || Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier succeeds his father as President for Life |- | [[1974]] || || The [[Haiti national football team]] participates in the [[FIFA World Cup]] for the first time |- | [[1977]] || August 15 || The U.S. ambassador to the [[United Nations]] commission arrives in Haiti; the commission meets with the Haitian government to discuss civil rights in Haiti |- | [[1980]] || May 27 || President for Life Jean-Claude Duvalier marries [[Michèle Bennett]] |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1983]] || March || [[Pope John Paul II]] arrives in Haiti, becoming the first Pope to visit the country |- | August 27 || The constitution is amended, creating the post of [[State Minister]] and allowing the President to name his successor |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1985]] || June 6 || President for Life Duvalier amends the constitution to allow the creation of the post of [[Prime Minister of Haiti]] |- | July || A referendum is approved by 99.48% of voters, allowing political parties to participate in the government and recognizing the Presidency for Life of Jean-Claude Duvalier |- | July || A constitutional amendment on the Presidency for Life is passed |- | November 28 || Three schoolboys ([[Jean-Robert Cius]], [[Daniel Israël]], and [[Mackenson Michel]]) are killed during an anti-government demonstration in [[Gonaïves]] |- | rowspan="8" valign="top" | [[1986]] || January 31 || Rumors spread through Port-au-Prince that President Duvalier has fled the country |- | February 3 || President Duvalier and members of his [[cabinet]] visit commercial and residential areas of Port-au-Prince as a show of power |- | February 7 || President Jean-Claude Duvalier flees Haiti for [[Talloires]], [[France]]; the National Council of Government (''[[Conseil National de Gouvernement]]'', CNG) is established, led by General [[Henri Namphy]]; the [[Legislative Chamber]] and Duvalier's armed forces, ''[[Volontaire Sécurité Nationale]]'', are dissolved |- | February 25 || The original blue and red [[flag of Haiti]] is raised at the [[National Palace of Haiti|National Palace]], replacing the black and red flag of the Duvalier regime |- | March || Former President of Haiti Daniel Fignolé returns to Haiti; a second version of the CNG is formed, consisting of Henri Namphy, [[Williams Régala]], and [[Jacques François]] |- | March 20 || More than two thousand students and public transportation drivers of [[Carrefour]] demonstrate against the CNG |- | April 26 || Eight people are killed in an attack by armed groups on [[Fort-Dimanche]] |- | October 19 || Forty-one people are elected to a [[constituent assembly]] to draft a new constitution, the CNG appoints twenty more constituents for a total of sixty-one |- | rowspan="9" valign="top" | [[1987]] || March 10 || The constituent assembly presents the new constitution, written in both [[French language|French]] and [[Haitian Creole]], to President of the CNG Henri Namphy |- | March 29 || The new constitution is ratified by referendum; the results of 215 voting places show an approximately 99.81% approval rate |- | May 13 || The CNG publishes a decree electing the members of the Provisional Electoral Council (''[[Conseil Electoral Provisoire]]'', CEP) |- | May 22 || The CEP proclaims itself independent from the CNG |- | June 5 || The CEP delivers the text of the electoral law to the [[Minister of Justice]] |- | July || Large landowners (''[[grandons]]'') massacre hundreds of peasants demanding land in [[Jean-Rabel]] |- | July 17 || During a ceremony at the Military Academy, the [[Haitian Armed Forces]] swear allegiance to the new 1987 constitution |- | November 29 || Elections are held, disturbances occur at [[Ruelle Vaillant]] in Port-au-Prince; the elections are suspended and General Namphy dissolves the CEP |- | December 10 || General Namphy sets [[January 17]] [[1988]] as the new election date; the CNG elects a new Provisional Electoral Council (''Conseil Electoral Provisoire'', CEP) |- | [[1988]] || January || Christian Democrat Leslie Manigat is elected in military-run elections boycotted by the Haitian people and most candidates. In June he is overthrown in military coup by Gen. Namphy. In September Namphy is overthrown by Gen. Prosper Avril. |- | rowspan="3" valign="top" | [[1990]] || January || President/General Prosper Avril declares a state of siege in January. |- | March || Rising protests convince Avril to resign. A Provisional Government led by Supreme Court Justice Ertha Pascal-Trouillot is formed. |- | December 16 || Democratic elections take place. Father [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]], well known throughout the country for his support of the poor, is elected President with 67.5% of the counted popular vote. The "U.S. favorite" Marc Bazin finishes a distant second with 14.2% . |- | rowspan="4" valign="top" | [[1991]] || January || A coup by former [[Tonton Macoutes]] head [[Roger Lafontant]] is foiled after tens of thousands pour into the streets of the capital, surrounding the National Palace. |- | February 7 || Aristide is sworn in as president. |- | September 30 || A military coup deposes Aristide, who goes into exile first in [[Venezuela]], then in the United States. |- | || Thousands of Haitians begin to flee violence and repression in Haiti by boat. Although most are repatriated to Haiti by the U.S. government, many enter the United States as [[refugees]]. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1994]] || September || The [[de facto]] military government resigns at the request of the United States in September, which then sends in troops to occupy Haiti. This occupation is sanctioned by the [[United Nations]]. |- | October 15 || The U.S. returns Aristide as president. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[1995]] || || The U.S. nominally hands over military authority to the [[United Nations]] but maintains effective control of the occupation. Aristide dissolves the Haitian army. |- | December || Former prime minister [[René Préval]] is elected president. |- | [[1996]] || February 7 || Aristide leaves office and is succeeded by [[René Préval]]. |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | [[2000]] || May || Legislative, municipal and local elections are held. The [[OAS]] disputes how the sovereign electoral council calculates the run-offs for eight Senate seats. |- | November || Aristide is reelected for a second five-year term with 92% of the vote in elections boycotted by the opposition. The last [[UN]] peacekeeping forces withdraw from Haiti. |} == 21st century == {| class="wikitable" width="100%" ! style="width:6%" | Year || style="width:10%" | Date || Event |- | [[2001]] || || Aristide succeeds Préval for a second five-year term. For the next two years, and with Washington's support, Aristide's bourgeois opponents use the [[OAS]] challenge to the 2000 elections to increase economic and political instability. Former Haitian soldiers carry out [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla attacks]], primarily along the Dominican border and in the capital. |- | rowspan="6" valign="top" | [[2004]] || || Haiti's 200th anniversary of independence. |- | [[February 4, 2004|February 4]] || A revolt breaks out in the city of [[Gonaïves]], with a local militia hostile to Aristide capturing the city and driving out the police force. |- | [[February 22, 2004|February 22]] || Rebels capture Haiti's second-largest city, [[Cap-Haitien]], after just a few hours of fighting, claiming their biggest prize in a two-week uprising that has driven government forces from most of the country's north. |- | [[February 29, 2004|February 29]] || Aristide resigns from office and flees the country. [[Boniface Alexandre]] is inaugurated as interim president. |- | March || UN Resolution 1529 authorizes a three month multinational interim peacekeeping force. It consists of troops from France, [[Canada]], [[Chile]] and the U.S. |- | September || [[Hurricane Jeanne]] kills over 700. |} == References == {{History of Haiti}} * {{cite book | last = Schutt-Ainé | first = Patricia | coauthors = Staff of Librairie Au Service de la Culture | title = Haiti: A Basic Reference Book | publisher = Librairie Au Service de la Culture | date = 1994 | location = Miami, Florida | pages = pp. 25-58 | id = ISBN 0-9638599-0-0 }} ==External links== * [http://thelouvertureproject.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page The Louverture Project]: [http://thelouvertureproject.org/wiki/index.php?title=Timeline_of_Events_in_Haitian_Revolutionary_History Haiti history timeline] - covers mainly the period of the Haitian Revolution. [[Category:National timelines|Haiti]] [[Category:History of Haiti]]