Haiti: History

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 US invades Haiti to protect US property and investments from problems arising from the black-mulatto friction.

US withdraws troops from Haiti, but maintains fiscal control until 1947.

US 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 bn 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 was struck by Hurricane Sandy, causing massive crop damage and leaves around 20,000 people homeless.