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1492
Christopher Columbus claims territory
Christopher Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain. The Spanish build the New World's first settlement. -
Spanish take control
Spanish control over the colony ends with the Treaty of Ryswick, which divided the island into French-controlled St. Domingue and Spanish Santo Domingo. -
Slave Rebellion
A slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman leading to a protracted 13-year war of liberation against St. Domingue's colonists -
Haitian flag devised
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. -
Second republic declared
The hemispere's second Republic is declared on January 1, 1804 by General Jean-Jacques Dessalines. -
Emperor Jean-Jacques assassination
Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines is assassinated. -
Civil War
Civil war racks the country, which divides into the northern kingdom of Henri Christophe and the southern republic governed by Alexandre Pétion. -
Boyer invades Santo Domingo
President Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence from Spain. The entire island is now controlled by Haiti until 1844. -
Independence becomes recognized
France recognizes Haitian independence in exchange for a financial assurance 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. -
U.S grants Haiti recognition
The United States finally grants Haiti diplomatic recognition sending Frederick Douglass as its Consular Minister.
