1492: Christopher Columbus discovered the Island of Haiti. The population, estimated at one million, lived there off fishing and hunting.

1804 (January 1st): Proclamation of Independence

1844: The Dominican Republic declares its independence from Haiti

1915: Haiti comes under the military occupation of the United States of America

1934: The United States occupation of Haiti ends and the U.S. Marines leave Haiti

1957: Dr. Francois Duvalier is elected President for Life.

1971: Jean- Claude Duvalier succeeds his father as President for Life.

1986: Jean Claude Duvalier flees Haiti for Talloires in France

1990: Jean Bertrand Aristide, a Catholic Priest, wins the presidential election with a majority vote.

1991: A military coup against Jean-Bertrand Aristide drives him out of Haiti. A commercial embargo against Haiti is approved by the thirty-four nations of the Organization of American States.

1993: The U.S. military intervention into Haiti.

1994: President Aristide returns to his presidential office in Haiti

1996: René Preval is elected President of Haiti

2001: Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to power (7 February 2001 - 29 February 2004)

2004: Boniface Alexandre (provisional) replaces Aristide (29 February 2004 - 14 May 2006)

2006: René Preval returned to power (14 May 2006 - Present)

2010: Magnitude 7.3 Quake Devastates Haiti