Haitian History

INTRODUCTIONindependence. But the original flag, used since 1803,
In 1492 Christopher Columbus wrote about Haiti: "Thewas removed in 1986 by order of the new
most beautiful in the world". Certainly, Haiti is agovernment.
wonderful country in the Caribbean. I think that has a1966: Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, arrives in
special beauty, with a geography and traditional culturePort-au-Prince. Under the leadership of Dictator
that is totally different from all the other countries inFrancois Duvalier, many African countries maintain
Latin America.official diplomatic relations with Haiti.
Since then, the dictatorships have destroyed Haitian1967: The Comedians, a film by British director Peter
society, economy, ecology and sport. Since 1950, twoGlenville, inspired in the cruel Haitian dictatorship by the
million Haitian people emigrated to the United StatesDuvalier family.
and other countries. Haitian-American arrived from Haiti1971: After Duvalier's death, power passed to his son
with nothing more than their clothes. If we compare theJean Claude Duvalier, the man who became known
Haiti of today to Haiti of thirty years ago, we see athroughout the world as "Baby Doc". Baby Doc is as
change: a new multiparty democracy. Today, a vastdictatorial as his father. Haiti is ruled by iron hand.
part of the Third World and more than a billion peopleDuvalier, best known for his anticommunist political, is
are under dictatorships.omnipresent. Many opposition leaders were arrested.
Eventually, I would like to finish my introduction with aHe is accused of human rights abuses. Thousand of
message by Albert Mangones: "Haiti is unique in history,Haitian people fled the country. Corruption is prevalent
going directly from slavery to nationhood".at all levels of government. The health system is one
CHRONOLOGY:of the worst in the Americas.
1492: Columbus discovered Haiti in the 15th Century.1974: The sporting system is one of the worst in the
1520-1697: Haiti is a Spanish territory. In the late 1500Third World, but Haiti qualified for the 1974 FIFA World
and early 1600, African slaves flocked to Island.Cup. Haiti beat Trinidad-Tobago in the World Cup
1697-1790: Haiti is a French colony. After 16th Century,qualifiers. Is one of the greatest sporting moment, in the
Haiti became the most important French colony in thechronology, comparing it to something like Sylvio Cator,
Americas. Island´s export to Europe includedwho won a silver medal in long jump in the 1928
sugar, coffee and corn. The beauty of Haiti isOlympics Games in Holland.
recognized by the French in the mid-1700 Century,1975: In El Salvador, Miss Haiti, Gerthie David, is named
when they called it "Pearl the Caribbean".first runner up at Miss Universe Pageant... transmitting
1790-1803: During the French colonization slaveslive to millions by CBS. After, Gerthie David is
suffers from maltreatment. By the late 1790,acclaimed in Port-au-Prince as a national heroine. Miss
pro-independence demonstrations. An Anti-slaveryHaiti competed with 71 other women from around the
movement under Toussaint L´Ouverture began.world for the title of Miss Universe, including Miss USA,
L´Ouverture is one of the most important blackSummer Barthollomew.
leaders in the history.During this period of time, Haitian1980: Like Canada, West Germany South Korea and
slaves attack villages. Anti-French protests riots brutallyKenya, Haiti boycott the Moscow Olympic Games in
suppressed. By the late 1803, under leadership of Jeanprotest for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Jacques Dessalines, Haiti army defeated the French1980-1986: Jean-Claude Duvalier, Haiti's longtime
forces at the Battle of Vertieres.dictator, married Michelle Bennett, an aristocratic lady.
1804-1806:A French colony for more than hundredA little more than three months later, Bennett-Duvalier
years, Haiti becomes independent, one of the mostbecomes First Lady of Haiti. Like Eva Peron
important events in the history. Jean Jacques(Argentina) or Jiang Qing (People's Republic of China),
Dessalines became the first president of new republicshe was a woman with great power. Michelle Bennett
of Haiti, the first black republic in the modern history.promoted her mulatto countrymen to positions of
Dessalines is the "Father of Modern Haiti". Haitileadership in the dictatorship at his expense of the
occupies the Western third of Hispaniola, theAfrican-Haitians.
second-largest Island in the Caribbean.1982: The National History Park (La Citadelle Laferriere,
1804-1820: Unfortunately; Haiti is divided into two zones.Sans Souci Palace and Ramiers) is designated as a
Northern Haiti is occupied by Henri Christopher, who isWorld Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Like Machu
named Emperor, while the north is occupied byPicchu (Peru) and Angkor What (Cambodia), the
Alexander Petion. Petion is probably the greatestNational History Park is considered among the
Haitian politician who ever lived.wonders of the world.
1880: Haiti has one of the richest ecosystems in the1982: Ronald Agenor wins a gold medal in men's tennis
Caribbean.singles at the Central American and Caribbean Sports
1900: Haiti´s modern political has been tumultuous,Games La Havana. He captures the hearts of the
marked by dictatorshipsIsland.
1915-1934: Haiti has not had an effective national1983: Pope John Paul arrives in Haiti for a visit. "Things
government Invasion by United States forces. USmost change here", said John Paul II.
troops sent to Haiti during civil sub-war.1986: As Jean-Claude consolidated his power, he
1918: The Presidential Palace, one of the best nationalconsistently refused to consider constitutional reform.
palaces in the world, is originally designed by the HaitianThe insurrection against the dictator Jean Claude
Georges Bassan. Bassan is inspired to White HouseDuvalier began...Antigovernment protesters in the
Washington.capital. Many deaths, injuries and arrests. Seeming end
1926: Emily Greene Balch, a human rights activist, wentto long Haitian dictatorship with fall of Duvalier regime.
to Haiti.1987: Haiti has one of the America's rates of HIV
1928: Cator is the only Haitian ever to win olympicinfection
silver medal. After, Haitian athlete Sylvio Cator breaks1987: The New Constitution restored many of the
the men's long jump record in Paris. Cator was given aliberties abolished by the Duvalier family. The National
hero's welcome when he returned to his country.Constitution recognizes both French and Creole as
1937: In the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leonidas Trujilloofficial languages. A new opposition emerged under
ordered national troops to massacre of 20000 HaitianJean-Bertrand Aristide.
emigrants.1988: Writer Rene Depestre wins the Prix Ranandot.
1940-1950: Haiti is one of the most popular travelDepestre, a Haitian dissident now living in France, was
destinations in the Caribbean.cited his novel Hadriana dans tous mes reves. By the
1944: Dewitt Peters, an American school-teacher,mid-1980s Rene Depestre had become well known in
founded the Centre d'Art in Port -au-Prince Since 1944,literacy circles outside Haiti.
Centre d'Art became the centre of the Haitian painting.1990: Ertha Pascall-Trouillot becomes the first black
It is now one of Haiti´s biggest tourist attractions,woman elected of Head of State in the world.
and every year thousands of people came to see the1990: First multi-party elections. Jean-Bertrand Aristide,
paintings and other work of Haitian art.a charismatic black leader, was elected president of
1945: Haiti becomes the 26th member of the UnitedHaiti. Aristide is the first democratic president since
Nations in October.1804.He was elected with the most popular support of
1956: Haiti establishes diplomatic relations with theany Haitian presidential candidate in the history.
Republic of China (Taiwan).1991: Military coup in the country. Raoul Cedras, leader
1956: Daniel Fignolé is President of the Provisionalof the coup, emerged as head of the new
Council and Head of State of Haitigovernment. This year marked the end of eight
1957-1971:After working for a time as a traditionalmonths of democracy. Under new government, all
doctor, Francois Duvalier became one of Haiti's mostpolitical parties were dissolved.
famous doctors. In 1957, Duvalier is elected President1991-1995: Like Equatorial Guinea, Cuba and North
of the Republic of Haiti. President Duvalier announced:Korea, Haiti has one of the most serious human rights
"My government will guarantee the exercise of libertyproblems in the Third World.
to all Haitians". Francois Duvalier, also known for his1993: United Nations imposed economic sanctions on
nickname "Papa Doc", emerged as Head of State andHaiti, one of the most densely populated nations in the
quickly gained nearly absolute power. In 1961 "PapaAmericas.
Doc" rewrote the National Constitution. After, he1994: Peaceful occupation by United States forces to
became the first "President for Eternity of Haiti". In therestore democratic electoral system. Raoul Cedras
1960s and 1970s "Papa Doc" popularizes superstitionsand his family went into exile in Panama City. Aristide
ideas to Haiti through a series of important voodoowas restored to power.
rites. The Duvalier dictatorship instituted rig press1995: In Port-au-Prince, sub-war violence includes
censorship. International agencies accuse governmentassassination of Meireille Durocher Bertin.
of grave human rights abuses. His regime of terror1995: In Beijing, the capital of city of the People's
resulted in the deaths of least 30000 Haitian. The IslandRepublic of China, Haiti participated in the UN`s Fourth
is one of the most dangerous countries in the ThirdWorld Conference on Women
World.1996:More than 5,000 Haitians had been killed and miles
1957-1981: Haitian First Lady Simone Ovide becamemore fled to abroad, United States, Canada, Bahamas
one of the most dominant women in the history ofand Dominican Republic, since 1991.
Haiti. Simone, wife of the most famous dictator of Haiti,1998: Haitian president Renè Garcia Preval arrives
gained in influence and power through corruption andin Taipei (Taiwan) for a four-day state visit. He and
crime.President Lee will sign a communiqué to
1957-1989: For many decades, Haiti does not havestrengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation.
diplomatic relations with the USSR, People's Republic1999: Dominican president Leonel Fernandez visit to
of China, Cuba, Hungary, South Africa and EastHaiti as part of a new diplomacy.
Germany.2002: In Paris, Dudley Dorival finished 3rd in the 110
1960: The Tonton Macoutes, the brutal secret police,hurdles at the World Championships. He becomes the
initiated a "Haitian genocide" in which political prisoners1st Haitian to win an individual international medal since
were tortured and executed.1928.Dorival was born in New Jersey, United States, to
1964: Joseph Eduard Gaetjens, the idol of millions ofHaitian parents on 1 September 1975. He in 2000
Haitians, is arrested and killed by the Tonton Macoutes,officially became a citizen of Haiti.
the sinister Haitian secret police. Like John Barnes2000: Haiti is one of the thirty poorest countries in the
(Jamaica) and Everald "Gally" Cummings (TrinidadThird World.
Tobago), he was a great footballer in the Caribbean.2000-2001: The elections were boycotted by the main
After, Gaetjens become a world symbol of theopposition political parties. Aristide was again elected
struggle against dictatorship in the Third World. He hadPresident. Widespread violent in Haiti allege that
dual Haitian and American nationality and played atAristide's election victory is fraudulent. Total political
1950 World Cup for the United States. Son of Haitiancensorship exists in national media.
mother and Belgium father, he played for many clubs in2004: This year Haiti is celebrating the 200th
the United States. The year 1950 was a veryAnniversary of their National Independence. President
important year for Gaetjens: the United States beatJean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti flees to Central African
England 1-0, the birthplace of the modern football.Republic following anti-government demonstrations.
1964: Francois Duvalier changed the national flag. BlackHaiti has one of the most violent conflict areas in the
and red are the colors chosen by Duvalier. Black,Americas. After, UN troops sent to Haiti during civil
which is similar to the Angolan flag, represents thesub-war.
descendants of the patriot Francois Toussaint2006: Rene Preval is sworn in as President of Haiti.
L'Ouverture and is also the traditional color of theSince the peaceful transfer of power in February, Haiti
Haitian people. While, red symbolizes the country`sis the newest democracy in the Third World.