History of Haiti in Timeline

Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a Caribbean country located on the western portion of the island of Hispaniola, sharing it with the Dominican Republic. It's situated east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of the Bahamas. Haiti is the third-largest Caribbean nation but the most populous, with approximately 11.4 million residents. Its capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince.

1900: Debt Repayment Consumes Haitian Government Spending

By 1900, 80% of Haiti's government spending was allocated to debt repayment.

1900: Olympic Games participation

Haiti has participated in the Olympic Games since the year 1900 and has won a number of medals.

1902: Tirésias Simon Sam's Presidency Ends

In 1902, the presidency of Tirésias Simon Sam ended amidst the Lüders Affair, where the German government intimidated the Haitian government.

1908: Pierre Nord Alexis Forced from Power

In 1908, President Pierre Nord Alexis was forced from power in Haiti.

1911: François C. Antoine Simon Forced from Power and Cincinnatus Leconte Becomes President

In 1911, François C. Antoine Simon was forced from power, and Cincinnatus Leconte became the new President of Haiti.

1913: Michel Oreste Ousted in Coup

In 1913, Michel Oreste was ousted in a coup in Haiti.

December 1914: Americans Remove Funds from Haitian National Bank

In December 1914, the Americans removed $500,000 from the Haitian National Bank and stored it in New York, gaining control of the bank.

1914: Oreste Zamor Ousted in Coup

In 1914, Oreste Zamor was ousted in a coup in Haiti, continuing the country's political instability.

July 1915: U.S. Marines Intervene in Haiti

In July 1915, U.S. Marines intervened in Haiti after President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam's mass execution of political prisoners and subsequent lynching. The Marines took control of the capital and installed a pro-U.S. president, Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave.

1915: U.S. forces occupied Haiti

In 1915, U.S. forces occupied Haiti due to political instability and fears of foreign intervention. This occupation lasted until 1934.

1919: Capture and Execution of Charlemagne Péralte

In 1919, Charlemagne Péralte, the leader of armed opposition to the U.S. presence, was captured and executed, becoming a national martyr.

1921: Senate Hearings on Haitian Deaths

In 1921, Senate hearings revealed conflicting reports on the number of Haitian deaths during the period of active unrest.

1930: Sténio Vincent Becomes President

In 1930, Sténio Vincent became the President of Haiti, serving until 1941.

1934: U.S. Forces Leave Haiti

After U.S. forces left Haiti in 1934, Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo used anti-Haitian sentiment.

1934: End of U.S. Occupation

In 1934, the U.S. forces ended their occupation of Haiti, though the country remained burdened with debt.

1937: First recorded music

In 1937, Haiti had no recorded music until Jazz Guignard was recorded non-commercially.

1937: The Parsley Massacre

In 1937, Rafael Trujillo ordered the Parsley Massacre, resulting in the deaths of 20,000–30,000 Haitians living on the Dominican side of the border.

December 1941: Haiti Declares War on Axis Powers

In December 1941, Haitian President Vincent, under U.S. pressure, declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy. Romania reciprocated by declaring war on Haiti on December 24, 1941.

1941: End of Vincent's Presidency, U.S. Financial Control Continues

In 1941, Sténio Vincent's presidency ended, but the U.S. financial advisor-general receiver continued to handle the budget.

September 1945: Haiti Becomes Founding Member of the United Nations

On 27 September 1945, Haiti became a founding member of the United Nations.

1946: Lescot Overthrown, Estimé Becomes President

In 1946, Lescot was overthrown by the military, and Dumarsais Estimé became the new president.

1947: Haiti Finishes Repaying Debt to France

In 1947, Haiti finally finished repaying its debt to France.

1950: Estimé Overthrown, Magloire Becomes President

In 1950, Estimé was overthrown in a coup led by Paul Magloire, who became president.

1950: FIFA World Cup

In 1950, Haitian footballer Joe Gaetjens played for the United States national team in the FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the 1–0 upset of England.

1956: Political Turmoil in Haiti

In 1956, Haiti underwent severe political turmoil, with Magloire forced to resign.

September 1957: François Duvalier Elected President

In September 1957, François Duvalier, known as 'Papa Doc', was elected President of Haiti.

1957: Duvalier Family Dictatorship Begins

In 1957, the Duvalier family began their dictatorial rule in Haiti, which would last until 1986.

1964: Duvalier Proclaims Himself 'President for Life'

In 1964, Duvalier proclaimed himself 'President for Life' and violently suppressed an uprising in Jérémie.

1971: Duvalier theft began

Between 1971 and 1986, it is estimated that President "Baby Doc" Duvalier, his wife Michele, and their agents stole US $504 million from the treasury.

1971: Death of François Duvalier

In 1971, François Duvalier died while still President of Haiti.

1971: Jean-Claude Duvalier Succeeds His Father

In 1971, Jean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed 'Baby Doc', succeeded his father as ruler of Haiti.

1974: Haiti makes the World Cup

In 1974, the Haiti national football team became only the second Caribbean team to make the World Cup.

1975: Publication of Dezafi

In 1975, Franketienne broke with the French tradition in fiction with the publication of "Dezafi", the first novel written entirely in Haitian Creole.

1982: World Heritage Site inscription

In 1982, the Sans-Souci Palace and the Citadelle Laferrière were inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

1983: Pope John Paul II Visits Haiti

In 1983, Pope John Paul II visited Haiti and publicly criticized the president.

1985: Demonstrations Erupt in Gonaïves

In 1985, demonstrations erupted in Gonaïves and spread across Haiti.

February 1986: Duvalier Leaves Haiti

In February 1986, under pressure from the United States, Jean-Claude Duvalier left Haiti.

1986: End of Duvalier theft

Between 1971 and 1986, it is estimated that President "Baby Doc" Duvalier, his wife Michele, and their agents stole US $504 million from the treasury.

March 1987: Constitution of Haiti

On 29 March 1987, the current structure of Haiti's political system was set forth in the Constitution of Haiti.

November 1987: Aborted Elections

In November 1987, elections in Haiti were aborted after dozens of inhabitants were shot in the capital.

June 1988: June 1988 Haitian coup d'état

In June 1988, President Leslie Manigat was overthrown in the June 1988 Haitian coup d'état.

September 1988: St. Jean Bosco Massacre

In September 1988, the St. Jean Bosco massacre occurred, resulting in the deaths of people attending a mass led by Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Another coup followed.

March 1990: General Prosper Avril's Military Regime Ends

In March 1990, General Prosper Avril's military regime ended in Haiti.

March 1990: Avril Transfers Power to Abraham

On 10 March 1990, Avril transferred power to General Hérard Abraham, who voluntarily gave up power three days later and later helped secure the 1990-91 Haitian general election.

December 1990: Jean-Bertrand Aristide Elected President

In December 1990, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president in the Haitian general election.

1990: Start of aid

From 1990 Haiti received more than US$4 billion in aid.

1991: Aristide Overthrown in Coup

In 1991, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown by the military, led by Raoul Cédras, in the 1991 Haitian coup d'état.

1993: Primary education enrollment rate

In 1993, the net enrollment rate in primary education in Haiti was 47%.

September 1994: US troops under Operation Uphold Democracy

In September 1994, the United States negotiated the departure of Haiti's military leaders and the peaceful entry of 20,000 US troops under Operation Uphold Democracy.

November 1994: Hurricane Gordon

In November 1994, Hurricane Gordon brushed Haiti, causing heavy rain, flash flooding, and mudslides, resulting in an estimated 1,122 deaths.

1995: Haitian Army folded

After the Haitian Army folded in 1995, the Haitian National Police (HNP) gained sole power of authority on the Haitian citizens which led to possible corrupt police force.

1995: Elections won by René Préval

In 1995, elections were held and won by René Préval, who gained 88% of the popular vote, albeit on a low turnout.

1995: Demobilization of Haitian Armed Forces

The former Haitian Armed Forces were demobilized in 1995.

November 2000: Election returned Aristide to the presidency

In November 2000, the election returned Aristide to the presidency with 92% of the vote, an election boycotted by the opposition due to a dispute in the May legislative elections.

2000: Disputed election

In 2000, a disputed election and accusations about President Aristide's rule led to the cutting off of US aid to the Haitian government.

2001: US aid cut off

In 2001, US aid to the Haitian government was cut off due to the disputed 2000 election and accusations about President Aristide's rule.

2001: Protestant population estimate

In 2001, some sources suggested the Protestant population in Haiti might have formed one-third of the total population.

2002: Pyramid Schemes in Haiti

In 2002, Haitians lost hundreds of millions in pyramid schemes during the Aristide years.

2003: Vodou officially recognized

In 2003, Vodou was officially recognized by the Haitian government.

2003: End of aid

Up to 2003 Haiti received more than US$4 billion in aid.

September 2004: Severe flooding

On 17 September 2004, soil erosion released from the upper catchments and deforestation caused periodic and severe flooding in Haiti.

2004: Aid restoration

Following Aristide's departure in 2004, aid was restored, and the Brazilian army led a United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti peacekeeping operation.

2004: College graduates living abroad

In 2004, 80% or more of college graduates from Haiti were living abroad.

2004: Tropical Storm Jeanne

In 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne skimmed the north coast of Haiti, resulting in 3,006 deaths from flooding and mudslides, primarily in Gonaïves.

2004: United Nations Intervention

In 2004, after a coup d'état, the United Nations intervened in Haiti.

2004: Anti-Aristide revolt and MINUSTAH arrival

In 2004, an anti-Aristide revolt began in northern Haiti, leading to Aristide's exile. Subsequently, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission (MINUSTAH) was brought in to maintain order.

2005: Economic growth

After almost four years of recession, the Haitian economy grew by 1.5% in 2005.

2006: Strong correlation between corruption and poverty

According to a 2006 report by the Corruption Perceptions Index, there is a strong correlation between corruption and poverty in Haiti.

2006: René Préval re-elected President

In 2006, René Préval was re-elected President of Haiti, following elections with a 55% voter turnout.

2006: Haiti's population

In 2006, half of Haiti's population was younger than age 20.

2006: Haitian ancestry in Canada

In 2006, there were 100,000 people of Haitian ancestry in Canada.

2007: Earthquake hazard study

A 2007 earthquake hazard study noted that the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone could be at the end of its seismic cycle and a worst-case forecast would involve a 7.2 Mw earthquake.

2007: Caribbean Nations Cup win

In 2007, the Haiti national football team won the Caribbean Nations Cup.

2007: Haitian ancestry in Dominican Republic

In 2007, there were an estimated 800,000 people of Haitian ancestry in the Dominican Republic.

April 2008: Food crisis and political unrest

In April 2008, high food and fuel prices caused a food crisis and political unrest in Haiti.

2008: Inhumane prison conditions

In 2008, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights considered the conditions in Haitian prisons, where inmates are confined for 22-23 hours a day and forced to defecate into plastic bags due to lack of latrines, to be inhumane.

September 2009: Debt cancellation qualification

In September 2009, Haiti met the conditions set out by the IMF and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries program to qualify for cancellation of its external debt.

2009: Haitian ancestry in the Bahamas

In 2009, there were up to 80,000 people of Haitian ancestry in the Bahamas.

January 2010: Earthquake

In January 2010, a severe earthquake highlighted the chronic shortage of health care personnel and resources in Haiti.

January 2010: Pledges of assistance following the earthquake

In January 2010, following the earthquake, US President Barack Obama promised US$1.15 billion in assistance to Haiti, and the European Union pledged more than €400 million (US$616 million).

January 2010: General elections postponed

In January 2010, general elections planned for the month were postponed due to the earthquake.

January 2010: Magnitude-7.0 earthquake

On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, the country's most severe in over 200 years, leaving between 160,000 and 300,000 people dead and up to 1.6 million homeless.

November 2010: Elections held

On 28 November 2010, elections were held in Haiti for the senate, the parliament, and the first round of the presidential elections.

2010: Decline in trade after the earthquake and cholera outbreak

After the 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak, Haiti's purchasing power parity GDP fell by 8%, from US$12.15 billion to US$11.18 billion.

2010: Founding of Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais

After the 2010 earthquake, Partners In Health founded the Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais, the largest solar-powered hospital in the world.

2010: Post-earthquake geological findings

After the earthquake of 2010, there was no evidence of surface rupture and geologists' findings were based on seismological, geological and ground deformation data.

2010: Damage to Jacmel

In 2010, Jacmel, a colonial city that was tentatively accepted as a World Heritage Site, was extensively damaged by an earthquake.

2010: Haitian National Police force numbered

In 2010, the Haitian National Police force numbered 7,000.

2010: Government decision on Carnival

In 2010, the Haitian government decided to stage the Haitian Carnival in a different city outside Port-au-Prince every year.

2010: NYPD assistance

In 2010, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) sent officers to Haiti to assist in rebuilding its police force, providing training in investigative techniques, anti-kidnapping strategies, and community outreach.

2010: Haitian ancestry in Metropolitan France

In 2010, there were 80,000 people of Haitian ancestry in Metropolitan France.

2010: Post-earthquake reconstruction earmark

The United Nations stated that US$13.34 billion had been earmarked for post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti through 2020, following the 2010 quake.

2010: Fast-tracking of Caracol industrial park plan

The plan for the Caracol industrial park pre-dated the 2010 earthquake but was fast-tracked as part of US foreign aid strategy to help Haiti recover.

March 2011: Michel Martelly named winner

On 20 March 2011, the run-off presidential elections took place and preliminary results, released on 4 April, named Michel Martelly the winner.

2011: Haiti's trade deficit

In 2011, Haiti had a trade deficit of US$3 billion, which was 41% of its GDP.

2011: Primary education enrollment rate

In 2011, the net enrollment rate in primary education in Haiti had risen to 88%.

January 2012: Opening of Roi Henri Christophe Campus

On 12 January 2012, the $50 million Roi Henri Christophe Campus of a new university opened in Limonade near Cap-Haïtien.

February 2012: Haiti seeked to upgrade observer status

In February 2012, Haiti signaled it would seek to upgrade its observer status to full associate member status of the African Union (AU).

October 2012: Inauguration of Caracol industrial park

On 21 October 2012, Haitian President Michel Martelly, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, Ben Stiller and Sean Penn inaugurated the 240-hectare Caracol industrial park, the largest in the Caribbean.

2012: Vaccination rate of children

As of 2012, 60% of children in Haiti under the age of 10 were vaccinated.

2012: Remittances from Haitians abroad

As of 2012, remittances from Haitians living abroad were the primary source of foreign exchange for Haiti, equaling one-fifth (20%) of GDP and more than five times the earnings from exports.

2012: US government-funded training for HNP officers

In 2012, 150 HNP officers received specialized training funded by the US government, which also contributed to infrastructure and communications support.

2012: Start of police initiative

In 2012, Haiti began a four-year initiative to increase its national police force by 50% each year.

2012: USAID projection for job creation at Caracol industrial park

In 2012, USAID believed the Caracol industrial park had the potential to create as many as 65,000 jobs once fully developed.

June 2013: AU planned to upgrade Haiti's status

The African Union (AU) was reported to be planning to upgrade Haiti's status from observer to associate at its June 2013 summit.

2013: Haiti's main import partners

According to estimates from 2013, Haiti's main import partners include Dominican Republic 35%, US 26.8%, Netherlands Antilles 8.7%, China 7%.

2013: Millennium Development Goals Report

According to the 2013 Millennium Development Goals Report, Haiti had steadily boosted the net enrollment rate in primary education to 88%, achieving equal participation of boys and girls.

2013: US government-funded training for HNP officers

In 2013, 150 HNP officers received specialized training funded by the US government, which also contributed to infrastructure and communications support.

2013: Haiti's Network Readiness Index ranking

In 2013, Haiti ranked number 141 out of 148 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI).

2013: Development of international airport

In 2013, plans for the development of an international airport on Île-à-Vache were introduced by the prime minister.

2013: Government called for reparations

In 2013, the Haitian government called for European governments to pay reparations for slavery and establish an official commission for the settlement of past wrongdoings.

2013: UNODC report on murder rates

In 2013, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported Haiti's murder rate at 10.2 per 100,000, which is significantly lower than the regional average.

2013: Haitian ancestry in Cuba

In 2013, there were 300,000 people of Haitian ancestry in Cuba.

2014: Housing construction near Caracol

By 2014, only 750 homes had been built near Caracol, despite a promise by the South Korean clothing manufacturer Sae-A Trading Co. Ltd to build 5,000 houses.

2014: Haiti's Network Readiness Index ranking

In 2014, Haiti ranked number 143 out of 148 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI).

2014: Tourism market

In 2014, Haiti received 1,250,000 tourists, mostly from cruise ships, and the tourism industry generated US$200 million.

2014: Duvalier's death

In 2014, attempts to try Duvalier for crimes committed under his rule were shelved following his death.

2014: Hotel openings

In 2014, several hotels opened in Haiti, including an upscale Best Western Premier, a five-star Royal Oasis hotel by Occidental Hotel and Resorts in Pétion-Ville, and a four-star Marriott Hotel in the Turgeau area of Port-au-Prince.

2015: USAid feasibility study

A USAid feasibility study in 2015 found that "a new port was not viable for a variety of technical, environmental and economic reasons", that the US was short US$72m in funds to cover the majority of the projected costs, and that private companies USAid had wanted to attract "had no interest in supporting the construction of a new port in northern Haiti".

2015: CIA World Factbook on Haiti's trade partners

According to the 2015 CIA World Factbook, Haiti's main import partners are Dominican Republic 35%, US 26.8%, Netherlands Antilles 8.7%, China 7%. Haiti's main export partner is the US 83.5%.

2015: Literacy rate

According to the 2015 World Factbook, Haiti's literacy rate was 60.7%.

2015: US Government allocated funds

As of 2015, the US government had allocated US$4 billion for post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti, with US$3 billion already spent.

2015: Government budget from Petrocaribe agreement

In 2015, more than 90 percent of the Haitian government's budget came from an agreement with Petrocaribe, a Venezuela-led oil alliance.

2015: Haitian ancestry in the United States

In 2015, there were an estimated 881,500 people of Haitian ancestry in the United States.

May 2016: Application not ratified

As of May 2016, Haiti's application to upgrade its status in the African Union (AU) still had not been ratified.

November 2016: Elections held with record low voter turnout

In November 2016, after numerous postponements, elections were held in Haiti with a record low voter turnout of just 17%.

2016: United Nations Apologized

In 2016, after years of denial, the United Nations apologized for the cholera outbreak in Haiti.

November 2017: Overcrowding in Port-au-Prince penitentiary

As of November 2017, the Port-au-Prince penitentiary, with a capacity of 1,200 detainees, held 4,359 detainees, resulting in a 363% occupancy level.

2017: Haiti's energy production and sources

As of 2017, Haiti produced the least energy among all countries in the Americas, with less than a quarter of the country having electric coverage, mostly powered by expensive and polluting generators; the most common source of energy is wood, along with charcoal and imported petroleum.

2017: Haiti's economic statistics

In 2017, Haiti's per capita GDP was $1,800, and its GDP was $19.97 billion (estimates).

2017: Jovenel Moïse sworn in as president

In 2017, Jovenel Moïse of the Haitian Tèt Kale Party was sworn in as president of Haiti.

2017: Cholera outbreak aftermath

In 2017, it was reported that roughly 10,000 Haitians had died and nearly a million had been made ill due to the cholera outbreak.

2017: Tuberculosis incidence report

Per a 2017 report, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Haiti was the highest in the region, with an estimated 200 cases per 100,000 people.

July 2018: Protests began

On 7 July 2018, protests began in Haiti in response to increased fuel prices, which evolved into demands for the resignation of President Moïse.

2018: Trans-Hispaniola railway proposal

In 2018 the Regional Development Council of the Dominican Republic proposed a "trans-Hispaniola" railway between both countries.

2018: Haiti's population

In 2018, Haiti's population was estimated to be about 10,788,000.

2018: Reactivation of FAdH

In 2018, President Jovenel Moise reactivated the Force Armée d'Haiti (FAdH).

2018: Electricity Project

In 2018, a 24-hour electricity project was announced for Haiti. This project needed 236 MW to be installed in Port-au-Prince and 75 MW needed in other regions.

2018: CIA World Factbook report on religion

In 2018, the CIA World Factbook reported that 55% of Haitians were Catholics and 29% were Protestants, with specific denominations including Baptist (15.4%), Pentecostal (7.9%), Seventh-day Adventist (3%), and Methodist (1.5%).

2018: Life expectancy at birth

In 2018, the life expectancy at birth in Haiti was 63.66 years.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2019, Haiti had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.01/10, ranking it 137th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: Infant mortality rate

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Haiti was 48.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.

2020: Haiti's Economy in 2020

In 2020, Haiti's economy was estimated to be significantly smaller than the amount lost due to historical reparations paid to France.

2020: Post-earthquake reconstruction earmark

The United Nations stated that US$13.34 billion had been earmarked for post-earthquake reconstruction in Haiti through 2020, following the 2010 quake.

July 2021: President Moïse assassinated

On 7 July 2021, President Moïse was assassinated in an attack on his private residence, and First Lady Martine Moïse was hospitalized. Ariel Henry was later installed as acting prime minister on 20 July 2021.

August 2021: Another huge earthquake

On 14 August 2021, Haiti suffered another huge earthquake, resulting in many casualties and damaging the country's economic conditions.

September 2021: Gang violence escalation

By September 2021, gang violence in Haiti had escalated to a long-lasting full-blown gang war and other violent crimes within the country.

March 2022: Political situation

As of March 2022, Haiti still had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Protests against the government and rising fuel prices intensified.

2023: Haitian army numbers

As of 2023, the Haitian army includes one infantry battalion that is in the process of being formed, with 700 personnel.

2023: Gang Control and Violence

By the end of 2023, gangs and armed groups controlled an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince. During 2023, gangs killed 4,789 people, kidnapped 2,490 more and displaced an estimated 362,000 from their homes.

March 2024: Henry prevented from returning

In March 2024, Ariel Henry was prevented by gangs from returning to Haiti, following a visit to Kenya. Henry agreed to resign once a transitional government had been formed.

March 2024: Prison break in Port-au-Prince

On 3 March 2024, armed gangs stormed the main prison in Port-au-Prince, leading to the escape of around 3700 inmates and the death of 12 people.

April 2024: Transitional Presidential Council took over

On 25 April 2024, the Transitional Presidential Council took over the Governance of Haiti and is scheduled to stay in power until 2026. Michel Patrick Boisvert was named interim prime minister.