Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Dominican Republic's history spans Columbus to modern democracy. Here are pivotal dates:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 5, 1492 | Columbus lands on Hispaniola (La Navidad founded). First European settlement in Americas. |
| 1496 | Santo Domingo founded (oldest continuous European city in New World). |
| 1501 | First African slaves arrive. |
| 1697 | Treaty of Ryswick: Spain cedes western Hispaniola (Saint-Domingue/Haiti) to France. |
| 1795 | Treaty of Basel: Spain cedes eastern Santo Domingo to France. |
| 1801 | Toussaint Louverture occupies Santo Domingo (brief unification). |
| 1809 | Spanish rule restored (Spanish Reconquest). |
| Dec 1, 1821 | Independence from Spain (José Núñez de Cáceres) — "Ephemeral Independence". |
| Feb 9, 1822 | Haiti annexes eastern side (Boyer). 22-year occupation. |
| Feb 27, 1844 | Independence from Haiti (Duarte, Sánchez, Mella, Trinitarios). Dominican Republic born. |
| 1861–1865 | Annexation to Spain (Santana) → Restoration War → Spanish withdrawal. |
| 1916–1924 | US Marine Occupation (1st). |
| 1930–1961 | Trujillo Dictatorship (Rafael Leónidas Trujillo). Assassination May 30, 1961. |
| 1965 | Civil War (Apr–Sep); 2nd US Intervention (Operation Power Pack). |
| 1966 | Joaquín Balaguer elected (12-year rule). |
| 1978 | Antonio Guzmán (PRD) — transition to competitive democracy. |
| 1994 | Leonel Fernández (PLD) elected — modern party system. |
| 2010 | Constitutional reform (re-election allowed, runoff, rights). |
| 2020 | Luis Abinader (PRM) elected — first opposition win in 16 years. |
These milestones trace the arc from colony → Haitian rule → independence → dictatorships → democracy.