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Important Dates in Haiti's History > |
1492
December 6
Christopher Columbus discovers the island named Ayiti. Inhabited by Tainos and Caribs. He sails to the northwestern end of the island, now known as “Mole St-Nicolas,” takes possession of it on behalf of the Spanish Crown and names it Espanola (now Hispaniola), which means “Little Spain.” The island of Hispaniola is divided today between the Republic of Haiti in the west and the Dominican Republic in the east.
December 24
Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria, runs onto a coral reef and is wrecked on the northeastern coast of Haiti.
1503
The first Africans are brought to Hispaniola for labor as the native succumbs under the harsh Spanish treatment.
1508
Ferdinand V, King of Spain, officially establishes the African slave trade
1528
Don Sebastian Ramirez de Fuente arrives in Hispaniola and is made the first Catholic bishop of the island.
1625
The first French settlers come ashore the northwest coast of Hispaniola and begin to settle there and on Tortuga, the adjacent island. They rename the colony “Saint Domingue”and gradually extend French control. Meanwhile, almost all the original natives perish.
1665
French settlers establish the city of Port-de-Paix on the northwest coast of St-Domingue.
1670
Louis XIV of France authorizes the African slave trade in St-Domingue.
1685
The Black code, Code Noir, which regulates and legalizes slavery in St-Domingue is enacted by the French Crown.
1697
The Treaty of Ryswick is signed in Europe. By this treaty, Spain recognizes French occupation of the western third of the island and agrees to cede it to the French Crown. The flourishing French colony of St-Domingue is officially born.
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