• The Spanish establish its first European settlement in the western hemisphere in the island of Hispaniola, where present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic reside.

  • Spain cedes the western part of Hispaniola to France, which is present-day Haiti.

  • Haiti becomes an independent nation from the French.

  • The U.S. invades Haiti to protect U.S. property and investments from problems arising from the black-mulatto friction.

  • The U.S. withdraws troops from Haiti but maintains fiscal control until 1947.

  • U.S. forces oversee Haiti's transition into a civilian government.

  • Haiti becomes a full member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade bloc.

  • The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund decide to wipe off $1.2 billion of Haiti's debt (80% of total) after judging that it has followed the required economic reforms and poverty reduction conditions.

  • Haiti receives $5.3 billion in aid from the UN to help rebuild infrastructure after an earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude struck the country earlier that year, killing up to 300,000 people. 

  • The country is struck by Hurricane Sandy, causing massive crop damage and leaving around 20,000 people homeless.

  • Street protests in Port-au-Prince and other major cities, with marchers voicing discontent about various issues including an overdue election, unemployment and corruption.

  • New wave of anti-government protests begins in Port-au-Prince.

  • Hurricane Matthew, the strongest to hit the region in a decade, kills hundreds in Haiti and destroys thousands of homes.

  • At least four people are killed and dozens injured in nationwide anti-corruption protests against President Moise and other officials.

  • Unidentified gunmen attack the home of President Jovenel Moïse in the capital, Port-au-Prince, killing him.

Sources:

BBC News open_in_new
Britannica open_in_new