Caribbean

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Timeline: Caribbean

Years: c. 1000 - 2010	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736704

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 1000	Man-eating Caribs move into the islands around the sea named after them - the Caribbean Go to Caribs in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century 11th century Migration Society Latin America
1492	The world's first globe is published by Martin Behaim without showing America, in the very year of Columbus' voyage Go to Behaim, Martin (1459–1507) in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Printing Technology Germany Latin America After sailing for five weeks from the Canaries, Columbus and the Pinzón brothers step ashore in the Bahamas Go to Columbus, Christopher (c. 1451–1506) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Exploration European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Society Empires Latin America Columbus and his fellow explorers make landfall on the largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba Go to Columbus, Christopher (c. 1451–1506) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Exploration European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Society Empires Latin America Cuba
1496	Diego Columbus, brother of the explorer, establishes the first secure Spanish colony at Santo Domingo Go to Santo Domingo (Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America
1515	The Spanish complete the conquest of Cuba and establish the town of Havana Go to Havana (Cuba, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Cuba
1609	Castaways from an English vessel reach Bermuda, which becomes the first British island in the new world Go to Bermuda in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America
1627	A British colony is founded in Barbados and within fifteen years has 18,000 settlers Go to Barbados (West Indies) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Empires Latin America
1655	The British, settling in Jamaica, soon turn the island into the major slave market of the West Indies Go to Jamaica (and Cuba, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Slavery British empire European empires from 1415 Europe Society Empires Latin America
1697	In the Treaty of Rijswijk, Spain cedes the western half of Hispaniola to France, which names its new colony Saint-Domingue Go to Haiti in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America
1761	John Harrison's fourth chronometer is only five seconds out at the end of a test journey from England to Jamaica Go to Harrison, John (1693–1776) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Britain 1750-1900 Technology Inventions and discoveries Great Britain - from 1707 British Isles Europe Britain Latin America
1793	Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, joins a Spanish force invading the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Protest and rebellion French empire Empires Latin America
1800	Toussaint L'Ouverture emerges as the leader of Saint-Domingue, ruling without French colonial control Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Europe Empires Latin America
1801	Toussaint L'Ouverture invades the neighbouring Spanish colony of Santo Domingo, and becomes ruler of the whole island of Hispaniola Go to Hispaniola in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Europe Empires Latin America A powerful French force arrives in Saint-Domingue and recovers control of the colony, offering generous terms to the native leaders Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Europe Empires Latin America
1802	Toussaint L'Ouverture is treacherously arrested and sent to France, where he dies in prison Go to Toussaint L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique (c. 1743–1803) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion French empire Empires Latin America
1804	The independence of Haiti from France is proclaimed by a new native ruler calling himself the emperor Jacques I Go to Dessalines, Jean Jacques (1758–1806) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion French empire Empires Latin America
1815	The Spanish recover Bogotá yet again and Bolívar flees into exile in Jamaica Go to Bolívar, Simón (1783–1830) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America South America
1844	The other half of Hispaniola joins Haiti in declaring independence, as the Dominican Republic Go to Dominican Republic in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Spanish empire Empires Latin America
1855	Jamaican-born nurse Mary Seacole sets up her own 'British Hotel' in the Crimea to provide food and nursing for soldiers in need Go to Black British literature in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Victorian era Britain 1750-1900 Science Medicine War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Europe Wars and Revolutions Britain Latin America
1868	An uprising against Spanish rule in Cuba sparks off a Ten Years' War Go to Cuban War of Independence in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Protest and rebellion War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Cuba An armed uprising against Spanish rule takes place in the town of Lares in Puerto Rico, becoming known as the Grito de Lares ('Cry of Lares') Go to Puerto Rico in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Spanish empire Empires Latin America Mexico
1878	The Ten Years' War ends in Cuba, with Spain promising extensive reforms including the abolition of slavery Go to Cuban War of Independence in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Slavery War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Society Empires Latin America Cuba
1882	Ulises Heureaux becomes dictator of the Dominican Republic and retains power until assassinated in 1899 Go to Dominican Republic in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Latin America
1897	The Spanish governor in Cuba is recalled to Spain, for pioneering the concept of the concentration camp Go to concentration camp in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Cuba
1898	The US battleship Maine is blown up in Havana harbour, sparking off the Spanish-American War Go to Spanish–American War (1898) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire US presidents Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba Theodore Roosevelt fights against the Spanish in Cuba with a volunteer regiment of cavalry, the Rough Riders Go to Rough Riders in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era War European empires from 1415 US presidents Europe Empires Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba In the Treaty of Paris, ending the Spanish-American War, Spain cedes Puerto Rico and Cuba to the USA Go to Paris, Treaty of (1898) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire US presidents Europe Spain Empires Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba North America United States
1900	Puerto Ricans are granted limited democracy in a bill of rights introduced after two years of US military occupation Go to Puerto Rico in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America
1902	Cuba becomes independent after three years of US military rule, with certain restrictions imposed by the Platt Amendment of 1901 Go to Platt Amendment in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America Cuba
1903	Cuba is forced to accept a permanent US military presence in Guantanamo Bay Go to Guantanamo Bay in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba North America United States
1912	President Taft sends US marines to Cuba because of political unrest in the island Go to Cuba in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba North America United States
1915	Woodrow Wilson sends US marines to take control in Haiti after a spate of political assassinations Go to Wilson, Woodrow (1856–1924) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America
1916	Haiti becomes a US protectorate, under the terms of a treaty signed in the previous year Go to Haiti in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Latin America North America United States Woodrow Wilson sends the marines to maintain order when the Dominican Republic slips towards civil war Go to Dominican Republic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics War US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America
1917	The Jones Act gives Puerto Ricans US citizenship and a popularly elected Senate and House of Representatives Go to Jones Act in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Latin America North America United States
1928	Caribbean-born author Jean Rhys publishes her first novel, Postures, based on her affair with the writer Ford Madox Ford Go to Rhys, Jean (?1890–1979) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature English literature Literature in English Fiction Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Britain
1930	Rafael Trujillo establishes a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic that will last for 30 years Go to Trujillo, Rafael Leónidas (24 Oct. 1891) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Latin America The steel-band tradition begins to develop in Trinidad, with adapted metal objects taking the place of traditional skin drums Go to steel band in The Oxford Companion to Music (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Latin America The Rastafarian cult evolves in Jamaica, viewing Ras Tafari, the emperor of Ethiopia, as the black Messiah Go to Rastafarianism in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Religion Latin America
1933	Fulgencio Batista, as army chief of staff, begins a long career running the affairs of Cuba Go to Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio (b. 16 Jan. 1901) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Latin America Cuba
1934	The US military government is finally withdrawn from Haiti after nineteen years Go to Good Neighbor Policy in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America North America United States
1948	The British government advertises in Jamaica for people to come and work in Britain Go to Empire Windrush in The Oxford Companion to Black British History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Social and domestic Society Latin America The first West Indian immigrants to Britain arrive from Jamaica on the Empire Windrush Go to Empire Windrush in The Oxford Companion to Black British History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Migration Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain
1952	Ernest Hemingway publishes The Old Man and the Sea, about an epic struggle between an aged Cuban fisherman and a gigantic marlin Go to Old Man and the Sea, The in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction North America United States
1956	Communist activist Fidel Castro returns from Mexico to Cuba to organize guerrilla warfare against the Batista regime Go to Castro Ruz, Fidel (13 Aug. 1926) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba Mexico
1957	Barbadian cricketer Gary Sobers, playing in Kingston, Jamaica, against Pakistan, makes a record Test score of 365 not out Go to Sobers, Gary (1936– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Sports and games Society Latin America A country doctor, François Duvalier, is elected president of Haiti on a massive popular vote Go to Duvalier, François (14 Apr. 1907) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Latin America
1958	Dictator Fulgencio Batista flees from Cuba, leaving Havana open to Fidel Castro and his victorious guerrillas Go to Batista y Zaldívar, Fulgencio (1901–1973) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba
1959	Fidel Castro begins more than four decades of authoritarian rule in Cuba Go to Castro Ruz, Fidel (b. 13 Aug. 1927) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Communism War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba West Indian poet and playwright Derek Walcott founds the Trinidad Theatre Workshop Go to Walcott, Derek (1930– ) in The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Performing arts Theatre Latin America
1961	An invasion force of about 1500 Cuban exiles comes ashore in Cuba's Bay of Pigs in an attempt to topple the Castro regime Go to Bay of Pigs (April 1961) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba Two days after landing in the Bay of Pigs, 114 Cuban exiles are dead and about 1300 have been captured Go to Bay of Pigs (April 1961) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba Caribbean novelist V.S. Naipaul features his Trinidad family in A House for Mr Biswas Go to House for Mr Biswas, A in The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Literature in English (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Literature Fiction Latin America Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic for the past 30 years, is killed by a machine-gun attack on his car Go to Trujillo, Rafael Leónidas (24 Oct. 1891) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Latin America
1962	US intelligence reveals nuclear missile bases under construction in Cuba, causing an international crisis Go to Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Communism War Weapons US presidents Cold war Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba North America United States President Kennedy sends the US navy to prevent delivery of Soviet missiles to Cuba Go to Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Communism War US presidents Cold war Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba North America United States A deal between President Kennedy and Soviet premier Khrushchev defuses the Cuban missile crisis Go to Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Communism War Weapons US presidents Cold war Europe Russia Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba North America United States Fidel Castro releases, for $53 million in food and medicine, the Cuban exiles taken prisoner in the Bay of Pigs fiasco Go to Bay of Pigs (April 1961) in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Cuba
1963	Bob Marley and five others form a band, the Wailers, that will for the first time give Jamaican music a global following Go to Marley Bob in Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Music Latin America
1964	Papa Doc Duvalier, ruling through the brutal Tontons Macoutes, makes himself president of Haiti for life Go to Duvalier, François (1907–71) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Latin America
1965	US marines intervene in civil war in the Dominican Republic to prevent a communist takeover Go to Dominican Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America North America United States
1966	Joaquin Balaguer, a close associate of Trujillo, is elected president of the Dominican Republic Go to Balaguer, Joaquín (14 July 2002) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Latin America
1971	The 19-year-old Jean Claude Duvalier, succeeding his father as president of Haiti, becomes known as Baby Doc Go to Duvalier, Jean‐Claude (b. 3 July 1951) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Latin America
1983	President Reagan sends US marines to Grenada after the execution of the island's prime minister, Maurice Bishop Go to Grenada in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America North America United States
1985	Antiguan author Jamaica Kincaid publishes her first novel, Annie John Go to Kincaid, Jamaica (1949) in The Concise Oxford Companion to African American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Literature Fiction Latin America
1986	Baby Doc Duvalier escapes from Haiti in a US airforce jet and goes into exile in France Go to Duvalier, Jean‐Claude (b. 3 July 1951) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Latin America
1990	A Catholic priest, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is elected president of Haiti and begins a programme of reform Go to Aristide, Jean-Bertrand (15 Jul. 1953) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Latin America West Indian author Derek Walcott publishes Omeros, an epic poem of the Caribbean Go to Walcott, Derek (1930– ) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Literature Poetry Latin America
1991	A military coup in Haiti ousts the reforming president Jean-Bertrand Aristide Go to Aristide, Jean-Bertrand (15 Jul. 1953) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Latin America
1994	Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara sets a new world record, scoring 501 not out when playing for Warwickshire against Durham Go to Lara, Brian Charles (1969– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Sports and games Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Europe Society Britain Latin America The return of Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Haiti, under UN protection, leads to a period of relative calm unusual in the republic Go to Aristide, Jean-Bertrand (15 Jul. 1953) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Latin America
2002	The US holds suspected al-Qaeda terrorists indefinitely, and without legal rights, in Guantanamo Bay, an American enclave in Cuba Go to Guantanamo Bay in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba North America United States
2004	For the second time president Jean-Bertrand Aristide is forced to flee from Haiti, after losing control to opposition rebels Go to Aristide, Jean-Bertrand (15 Jul. 1953) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Latin America
2006	The US Supreme Court rules that the military courts set up to try detainees in Guantanamo Bay are illegal Go to House of Representatives in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America North America United States
2008	After 49 years as president of Cuba, Fidel Castro resigns for reasons of ill health Go to Castro, Fidel (1927– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Latin America Cuba The National Assembly elects Fidel Castro's brother Raúl to succeed him as president of Cuba Go to Castro, Fidel (1927– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Latin America Cuba Hurricane Hanna causes more than 500 deaths in Haiti before moving on west to the United States (where it kills 7) Go to hurricane in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Social and domestic Society Latin America
2009	One of President Obama's first acts in office is to sign an order that the Guantanamo Bay detention camp is to be closed within a year (a promise that fails to be fulfilled) Go to House of Representatives in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians Latin America Cuba North America United States
2010	Haiti is devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, causing more than 230,000 deaths Go to earthquake in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Latin America BP announces that a newly fitted cap has finally stopped the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Go to oil spill in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Technology Latin America Mexico North America United States US Federal estimates are that more than 200 million gallons of oil have spilled into the sea from the Deepwater Horizon disaster (the Exxon Valdez figure was 11 million) Go to Exxon Valdez in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Technology Latin America North America United States

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date: 15 May 2025

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