History of Honduras in Timeline

Honduras is a Central American nation bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Pacific Ocean (Gulf of Fonseca), and the Caribbean Sea (Gulf of Honduras). Its capital and largest city is Tegucigalpa. It is officially known as the Republic of Honduras.

1903: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1903, American troops landed in Honduras.

1904: O. Henry coins "banana republic"

In 1904, the writer O. Henry coined the term "banana republic" to describe Honduras, publishing his book, Cabbages and Kings.

1907: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1907, American troops landed in Honduras.

1911: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1911, American troops landed in Honduras.

1912: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1912, American troops landed in Honduras.

1914: National Anthem Contest in 1914

In 1914, a contest was carried out during the presidency of Manuel Bonilla, that would decide the National Anthem of Honduras.

November 1915: Official Adoption of the National Anthem

On November 15, 1915, the "National Anthem of Honduras" was officially adopted during the presidency of Alberto de Jesús Membreño.

1919: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1919, American troops landed in Honduras.

1921: First International Competition in 1921

In 1921, Honduras's first international competition began at the Independence Centenary Games featuring neighboring countries in Central America.

1924: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1924, American troops landed in Honduras.

1925: American Troops Landed in Honduras

In 1925, American troops landed in Honduras.

1927: Honduran census

The 1927 Honduran census provides no racial data.

1928: Declaration of National Tree in 1928

In 1928, "the Pine that appears symbolically in our Coat of Arms" was declared the national tree of Honduras.

1930: Racial Classifications Created

In 1930 five racial classifications were created: white, Indian, Negro, yellow, and mestizo. This system was used in the 1935 and 1940 census. Mestizo was used to describe individuals that did not fit neatly into the categories of white, American Indian, negro or yellow or who are of mixed white-American Indian descent.

1930: Cuyamel Fruit Company Dominance

Until 1930, the Cuyamel Fruit Company dominated banana-exporting companies in northern Honduras, building an enclave economy.

1935: Use of Racial Classifications in Census

The racial classification system created in 1930 was used in the 1935 census.

1939: Changes to Immigration Law

Following changes to immigration law in 1939, many workers from the English-speaking Caribbean left Honduras.

1940: Use of Racial Classifications in Census

The racial classification system created in 1930 was used in the 1940 census.

December 1941: Honduras Joins Allied Nations

On December 8, 1941, Honduras joined the Allied Nations after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

January 1942: Honduras signs the Declaration by United Nations

On January 1, 1942, Honduras signed the Declaration by United Nations.

1945: Establishment of the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Honduras was established in 1945.

1950: First international baseball competition

In 1950, Honduras's first international baseball competition began in the Baseball World Cup, which was the most prestigious global competition at the time.

1954: General Strike Leads to Reforms

In 1954, a general strike paralyzed northern Honduras for over two months, leading to reforms.

1960: Territorial Transfer from Nicaragua

In 1960, the northern part of the Mosquito Coast was transferred from Nicaragua to Honduras by the International Court of Justice.

1963: Military Coup Removes President Morales

In 1963, a military coup removed the democratically elected president, Ramón Villeda Morales, from office.

1963: Military Coup Unseats President

In 1963, a military coup unseated democratically elected President Ramón Villeda Morales.

1964: Establishment of The Honduran National Professional Football League in 1964

In 1964, The Honduran National Professional Football League was established.

1965: Increase in landless peasants

Since 1965 there has been an increase in the number of landless peasants in Honduras which has led to a growing class of urban poor individuals.

1968: Summer Olympics track & field games

Since 1968, Hondurans have consistently entered track & field games at the Summer Olympics.

July 1969: Salvadoran Army Invades Honduras

On July 14, 1969, the Salvadoran army invaded Honduras, escalating the conflict between the two countries.

1969: The Football War

In 1969, tensions between Honduras and El Salvador led to what became known as the Football War.

1969: Rhyncholaelia digbyana Becomes National Flower

In 1969, the Rhyncholaelia digbyana (formerly known as Brassavola digbyana) orchid replaced the rose as the national flower of Honduras.

1971: Total Fertility Rate in 1971

In 1971, the Honduran total fertility rate was 7.4 births.

1972: C.D. Olimpia Wins CONCACAF Champions League in 1972

In 1972, C.D. Olimpia won the CONCACAF Champions League.

1973: Absence of competition in international baseball

Since 1973, the country lacks a division in baseball, likely due to the absence of competition in international baseball.

September 1974: Hurricane Fifi Causes Severe Damage

On September 18 and 19, 1974, Hurricane Fifi caused severe damage when it skimmed the northern coast of Honduras.

1975: Infrastructure development

From 1975 to 1978, under Melgar Castro, Honduras largely built its current physical infrastructure.

1975: Acceleration of Emigration

Since 1975, emigration from Honduras has accelerated as economic migrants and political refugees sought a better life elsewhere.

1978: Telecommunications development

From 1978 to 1982, under Paz Garcia, Honduras largely built its current telecommunications system.

1979: Return to Civilian Rule

In 1979, Honduras returned to civilian rule.

April 1980: Constituent Assembly Election

In April 1980, a constituent assembly was popularly elected to write a new constitution for Honduras.

November 1981: General Elections

In November 1981, general elections were held in Honduras.

1981: Honduras Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1981

In 1981, Honduras won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

1981: Roberto Suazo Córdova Elected President

In 1981, Roberto Suazo Córdova was elected president of Honduras, marking a transition from authoritarian military governments.

1982: New Constitution Approved

In 1982, Honduras approved a new constitution.

1982: Honduras Competes in the FIFA World Cup in 1982

In 1982, Honduras competed in the FIFA World Cup.

1982: Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve Added to UNESCO List

In 1982, the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

1984: Summer Olympics swimming games

Since 1984, Hondurans have consistently entered swimming games at the Summer Olympics.

1988: C.D. Olimpia Wins CONCACAF Champions League in 1988

In 1988, C.D. Olimpia won the CONCACAF Champions League.

1990: Improvement of HDI factors since 1990

Since 1990, all three factors that go into Honduras's HDI (an extended and healthy life, accessibility of knowledge and standard of living) have all improved but still remain relatively low.

1991: Inequality steadily increased in Honduras

In Honduras, unlike other Latin American countries, inequality steadily increased between 1991 and 2005.

1992: Honduras joins The Forum of Small States

In 1992, Honduras became a member of The Forum of Small States (FOSS) since the group's founding.

1995: Domestic Violence Recognition in 1995

In 1995, Honduras recognized domestic violence as a public health issue.

1996: Contraceptive Use in 1996

In 1996, 50% of women in Honduras were using at least one type of contraceptive.

1997: Domestic Violence Recognition in 1997

In 1997, Honduras recognized domestic violence as a punishable offense.

1998: Hurricane Mitch's devastating impact

In 1998 Hurricane Mitch had a devastating impact on the Honduran economy because much of the Honduran economy is based on small scale agriculture of only a few exports. Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Mitch, have contributed to this inequality as they particularly affect poor rural areas. A study done by Honduras NGO, World Neighbors, determined the terms "increased workload, decreased basic grains, expensive food, and fear" were most associated with Hurricane Mitch.

1998: Hurricane Mitch Causes Widespread Destruction

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused massive destruction in Honduras, reversing fifty years of progress and devastating crops and infrastructure.

1998: Hurricane Mitch

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch virtually wiped out the country's second-largest export, bananas.

1998: Restructuring of Family Assistance Program

In 1998, the Family Assistance Program was restructured in an attempt to increase effectiveness of cash transfers for health and education specifically for those in extreme poverty.

March 1999: Agreement with the IMF

In March 1999, Honduras signed an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) with the International Monetary Fund, which was later converted to a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).

1999: Honduran recession

In 1999, Honduras faced a Mitch-induced recession of -1.9%. Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, was 10.9%.

1999: Implementation of Honduras's Poverty Reduction Strategy

In 1999, Honduras's Poverty Reduction Strategy was implemented and aimed to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015.

July 2000: Honduras reaches decision point under HIPC

In July 2000, Honduras reached its decision point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), qualifying the country for interim multilateral debt relief.

2000: Banana exports recover

In 2000, banana exports recovered to 57% of pre-Hurricane Mitch levels.

2000: Social spending

In 2000, overall spending within Poverty Reduction Strategies was focused on education and health sectors increasing social spending from 44% of Honduras's GDP.

2000: Economic growth and Maquiladora performance

In 2000, the Honduran economy grew 4.8%, recovering from the recession of 1999. The maquiladora sector continued its strong performance, providing employment to over 120,000 and generating more than $528 million in foreign exchange. Inflation was 10.1%, and international reserves were slightly over US$1 billion. Remittances rose 28% to $410 million.

2000: US Census Count of Honduran Residents

In the 2000 census in the United States, 217,569 residents identified as Hondurans.

2000: Tense Relations with Nicaragua

Throughout 2000 and early 2001, Honduras and Nicaragua had tense relations due to a boundary dispute off the Atlantic coast.

2001: Decrease in Fertility Rate and Contraceptive Use in 2001

By 2001, Honduran total fertility rate decreased to 4.4 births and contraceptive use was at 62%.

2001: Premiere of "Anita la cazadora de insectos"

Since the premiere of the movie "Anita la cazadora de insectos" in 2001, the level of Honduran film productions has increased.

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2001: Tense Relations with Nicaragua

Throughout 2000 and early 2001, Honduras and Nicaragua had tense relations due to a boundary dispute off the Atlantic coast.

2002: Small increase in GDP between 1999 and 2002

While spending on poverty-reduction aid increased, there was only a 2.5% increase in GDP between 1999 and 2002, leaving Honduras still below that of countries that lacked aid through the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

2004: Social spending increase to 51% of GDP

By 2004, overall spending within Poverty Reduction Strategies was focused on education and health sectors increasing social spending to 51% of Honduras's GDP.

2004: Net Primary Enrollment Rate in 2004

In 2004, the net primary enrollment rate in Honduras was 94%.

December 2005: Puerto Cortés included in the U.S. Container Security Initiative

In December 2005, Puerto Cortés, the primary seaport of Honduras, was included in the U.S. Container Security Initiative.

December 2005: Telecommunication sector opened to private investment

On December 25 2005, the telecommunication sector was opened to private investment, as required under CAFTA.

2005: Increase in Violent Deaths between 2005 and 2013

Between 2005 and 2013 violent deaths in Honduras increased by 263.4 percent.

2005: Lempira stabilises

In 2005, the Lempira (currency) stabilized at L19 to the United States dollar.

2005: Inequality steadily increased in Honduras

In Honduras, unlike other Latin American countries, inequality steadily increased between 1991 and 2005.

2006: Inequality saw a decrease

Between 2006 and 2010 inequality saw a decrease.

2006: Economic growth averaged 5.7 percent

From 2006 to 2008, the average growth of the honduran economy was 5.7 percent.

2006: Manuel Zelaya held office

From 2006 until 2009, Manuel Zelaya held the same office as president.

2006: Secure Freight Initiative Announced

In 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy announced the first phase of the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI). This initiative built upon existing port security measures, granting the U.S. government enhanced authority to scan overseas containers for nuclear and radiological materials, with the goal of improving risk assessment for U.S.-bound containers.

2007: GNI per capita

In 2007, Honduras' gross national income per capita was US$1,649, while the average for Central America was $6,736.

2007: US Assistance to Tackle Drug Cartels

In 2007, President Manuel Zelaya and President George W. Bush began talks on US assistance to Honduras to tackle growing drug cartels.

2007: Scanning of Containers Begins

In 2007, scanning of containers began in select ports for radiation and other risk factors before the containers were allowed to depart for the United States.

2008: Unemployment increases between 2008 and 2012

Between 2008 and 2012, unemployment grew in Honduras from 6.8 percent to 14.1 percent.

2008: Honduras Joins ALBA

In 2008, Honduras joined ALBA under President Zelaya.

2008: Religious Demographics in 2008

In 2008, a CID Gallup poll reported that 51.4% of the Honduran population identified as Catholic, 36.2% as evangelical Protestant, 1.3% claiming to be from other religions, and 11.1% do not belong to any religion or were unresponsive.

June 2009: Coup ousts President Zelaya

In June 2009, a coup d'état ousted President Manuel Zelaya. He was taken in a military aircraft to Costa Rica. The General Assembly of the United Nations denounced the coup and called for Zelaya's restoration. Several Latin American nations, including Mexico, severed diplomatic relations with Honduras. The United States sent mixed messages after the coup.

2009: Study on Healthcare Provider Practices in 2009

A 2009 study showed that while Honduran policy requires health care providers to report cases of sexual violence, emergency contraception, and victim referral, very few other regulations exist within the realm of registry, examination and follow-up.

2009: Manuel Zelaya held office

From 2006 until 2009, Manuel Zelaya held the same office as president.

2009: Constitutional Crisis and Coup d'état

In 2009, Honduras experienced a constitutional crisis resulting in a coup d'état, and the OAS suspended Honduras.

2009: Military Coup

In 2009, Honduras experienced a military coup, which disrupted its political stability.

2009: Spiegel International Analysis on Zelaya

In 2009, a Spiegel International analysis noted that one reason to join ALBA was discounted Venezuelan oil. The analysis stated that Chavez served as a role model for leaders intent on cementing their power.

2009: Honduran Coup d'état

In 2009, the Honduran coup d'état removed Manuel Zelaya from office and put Roberto Micheletti in his place.

2009: Guaymuras Political Dialogue

In 2009, the name Guaymuras was revived for a political dialogue that took place in Honduras, as opposed to Costa Rica.

2009: Expansion of social spending and minimum wage prior to coup

Prior to its 2009 coup Honduras widely expanded social spending and an extreme increase in minimum wage.

2009: Coup d'état leads to economic trends

The 2009 Honduran coup d'état led to a variety of economic trends in the nation, including slowed growth, increasing poverty, and increasing unemployment.

July 2010: Full diplomatic relations re-established with Mexico

In July 2010, full diplomatic relations were re-established with Mexico after being severed following the 2009 coup.

2010: Inequality saw a increase

Between 2006 and 2010 inequality saw a decrease but increased again in 2010.

2010: Economic growth slowed after the coup

Between 2010 and 2013, economic growth slowed to 3.5 percent annually in Honduras.

2010: Honduras Competes in the FIFA World Cup in 2010

In 2010, Honduras competed in the FIFA World Cup.

2010: High economic growth

In 2010, Honduras experienced high economic growth, averaging 7% a year, one of the highest rates in Latin America.

2010: Honduras Withdraws from ALBA

In 2010, Honduras withdrew from ALBA after the 2009 coup d'état.

2010: Population Demographics in 2010

In 2010, the population of Honduras under the age of 15 was 36.8%, 58.9% were between 15 and 65 years old, and 4.3% were 65 years old or older.

2010: US Census Count of Honduran Residents

In the 2010 census in the United States, 617,392 residents identified as Hondurans.

November 2012: Primary Elections

In November 2012, a survey found that 72% of respondents thought there was electoral fraud in the primary elections.

2012: US State Department Estimate of Hondurans in the US

A 2012 US State Department estimate suggested that between 800,000 and one million Hondurans lived in the United States at that time, nearly 15% of the Honduran population.

2012: Unemployment increases between 2008 and 2012

Between 2008 and 2012, unemployment grew in Honduras from 6.8 percent to 14.1 percent.

2012: Extreme poverty increases

Extreme poverty in Honduras saw a low of 36.2 percent only two years after the implementation of the strategy in 1999 but then increased to 66.5 percent by 2012.

2012: Peak in Homicide Violence in 2012

Homicide violence in Honduras reached a peak in 2012 with an average of 20 homicides a day.

2012: LiDAR Scanning Reveals Settlements

In 2012, LiDAR scanning revealed previously unknown high-density settlements in La Mosquitia, corresponding to the legend of "La Ciudad Blanca".

2012: Memorandum of Understanding for Special Zone

In 2012, a memorandum of understanding with a group of international investors obtained Honduran government approval to build a zone (city) with its own laws, tax system, judiciary and police; this was opposed in the Supreme Court.

2012: Peace Corps Withdraws

In 2012, the Peace Corps withdrew its volunteers from Honduras, citing safety concerns.

2012: Social spending decreases after coup

When Zelaya was removed from office, in 2009 social spending as a percent of GDP decreased from 13.3 percent to 10.9 percent in 2012.

2013: Ethnic Breakdown of Honduran Society

According to the 2013 census, the ethnic breakdown of Honduran society was 83% mestizo, 8% white, 7% indigenous (primarily Lenca), and 2% black.

2013: Increase in Violent Deaths between 2005 and 2013

Between 2005 and 2013 violent deaths in Honduras increased by 263.4 percent.

2013: Economic growth slowed after the coup

Between 2010 and 2013, economic growth slowed to 3.5 percent annually in Honduras.

2013: Honduras Places Third in CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2013

In 2013, Honduras placed third in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

2013: Ratification of Decree 120

In 2013, Honduras's Congress ratified Decree 120, which led to the establishment of ZEDEs.

2013: Creation of ZEDE

In 2013, a new administrative division called ZEDE (Zonas de empleo y desarrollo económico) was created, which has a high level of autonomy with its own political system at a judicial, economic and administrative level and is based on free market capitalism.

2013: Expected Fraudulent Elections

In 2013, a survey found that 56% of respondents expected the presidential, legislative and municipal elections to be fraudulent.

2013: Agriculture accounts for 14% of GDP

In 2013, agriculture accounted for 14% of Honduras' gross domestic product (GDP). Coffee was the country's leading export at US$340 million, accounting for 22% of total Honduran export revenues.

January 2014: Juan Orlando Hernández Takes Office

On January 27, 2014, Juan Orlando Hernández took office as president of Honduras.

2014: Sexual Violence and Femicide in 2014

In 2014, 40% of unaccompanied refugee minors from Honduras were female, and the impunity for sexual violence and femicide crimes was 95 percent.

2014: Honduras Competes in the FIFA World Cup in 2014

In 2014, Honduras competed in the FIFA World Cup.

2014: Juan Orlando Hernández's Presidential Term

In 2014, Juan Orlando Hernández started serving as president of Honduras.

2014: Tourist Safety Improvement Measures in 2014

In 2014, the government and businesses took measures to improve tourist safety in Roatán and the other Bay Islands, leading to lower crime rates than the Honduran mainland.

2014: Primary School Completion Rate in 2014

In 2014, the primary school completion rate in Honduras was 90.7%.

June 2015: Construction of First ZEDEs Begins

In June 2015, the Honduran government began construction of the first zones (ZEDEs).

2015: Poverty Reduction Strategy did not cut extreme poverty in half

Honduras's Poverty Reduction Strategy was implemented in 1999 and aimed to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015.

2015: Inequality of life expectancy at birth

In 2015 for the entire Latin America and the Caribbean region, inequality of life expectancy at birth was 22.9%, inequality in education was 14.0% and inequality in income was 34.9%.

2015: Gender Inequality Index Ranking in 2015

In 2015, Honduras had a Gender Inequality Index (GII) of .461 and ranked 101 out of 159 countries.

2015: Human Development Index Ranking

In 2015, Honduras was ranked 130 of 188 countries with a Human Development Index of .625.

2015: Homicide Rate in 2015

In 2015, Honduras's homicide rate was 60 per 100,000.

2015: Gender Development Index in 2015

In 2015, the Gender Development Index (GDI) for Honduras was .942, with an HDI of .600 for females and .637 for males. GNI per capita was vastly different by gender, with males having $6,254 and females only $2,680.

2016: Poverty rate

In 2016, more than 66% of the population in Honduras was living below the poverty line.

2016: Drop in Homicide Rate in 2017

In 2017, Honduras's homicide rate was 42 per 100,000 inhabitants, a 26% drop from 2016 figures.

December 2017: Hernández Declared Winner of Disputed Election

In December 2017, Hernández was declared the winner of the Honduran election after a partial recount, amid protests and violence.

2017: Electoral Fraud Controversy

In 2017, Honduras faced controversy arising from claims of electoral fraud in the presidential election.

2017: Honduras signs UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In 2017, Honduras signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

2017: Drop in Homicide Rate in 2017

In 2017, Honduras's homicide rate was 42 per 100,000 inhabitants, a 26% drop from 2016 figures.

January 2018: Hernández Sworn in for Second Term

In January 2018, Hernández was sworn in for a second presidential term.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2019, Honduras had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.48/10, ranking it 126th globally out of 172 countries.

November 2021: Xiomara Castro Wins Presidential Election

In November 2021, Xiomara Castro won the presidential election with 53% of the votes to become the first female president of Honduras.

2021: Honduras Population in 2021

In 2021, the population of Honduras was 10,278,345.

January 2022: End of Juan Orlando Hernández's Term

In January 2022, Juan Orlando Hernández's term as president of Honduras ended.

January 2022: Xiomara Castro Becomes President

On January 27, 2022, Xiomara Castro became the first woman to serve as president of Honduras, succeeding Juan Orlando Hernández.

January 2022: Xiomara Castro Sworn In

On January 27, 2022, Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the first female president of Honduras.

April 2022: Juan Orlando Hernández Extradited

In April 2022, former president Juan Orlando Hernández was extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

2022: Poverty Statistics

In 2022, 73% of Honduras' population lived in poverty, with 53% in extreme poverty, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Honduras (INE).